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Review
. 2011 Sep;25(6):613-29.
doi: 10.1177/0269216310395987. Epub 2011 Jan 27.

Perceived barriers and facilitators for general practitioner-patient communication in palliative care: a systematic review

W Slort  1 , B P M Schweitzer, A H Blankenstein, E A Abarshi, I I Riphagen, M A Echteld, N K Aaronson, He van der Horst, L Deliens
Affiliations
Review

Perceived barriers and facilitators for general practitioner-patient communication in palliative care: a systematic review

W Slort et al. Palliat Med. 2011 Sep.

Abstract

While effective general practitioner (GP)-patient communication is required for the provision of good palliative care, barriers and facilitators for this communication are largely unknown. We aimed to identify barriers and facilitators for GP-patient communication in palliative care. In a systematic review seven computerized databases were searched to find empirical studies on GP-patient communication in palliative care. Fifteen qualitative studies and seven quantitative questionnaire studies were included. The main perceived barriers were GPs' lack of availability, and patients' and GPs' ambivalence to discuss 'bad prognosis'. Main perceived facilitators were GPs being available, initiating discussion about several end-of-life issues and anticipating various scenarios. Lack of availability and failure to discuss former mistakes appear to be blind spots of GPs. GPs should be more forthcoming to initiate discussions with palliative care patients about prognosis and end-of-life issues. Empirical studies are needed to investigate the effectiveness of the perceived barriers and facilitators.

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