GPs' Perception of Improvements in Palliative Care at the Interface to Specialized Palliative Homecare (SPHC)

Aim of the study Collecting experiences of General Practitioners' (GPs) providing palliative care (PC) at the interface to specialised palliative homecare (SPHC) and their suggestions for improvement. Methods Cross-sectional survey of GPs in eight regional Associations of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians. Quantitative analysis of 1144 questionnaires on suggestions for improvement and qualitative analysis of 187 free text comments. Results Better PC qualification of outpatient nursing care services was mentioned most frequently (91.7% of 1144 responses) as an important framework condition for GP-based PC. The 187 freetext-comments addressed multilayered dimensions of PC experienced by GPs: they empha-size their central role: SPHC involvement ranged from being perceived as a resource to an exclusion from care as well as depreciation of competence. Conclusion Suggested solutions for perceived deficits should be considered if they contribute to meeting PC demand efficiently: better qualification of outpatient nursing care services; avoidance of GP exclusion from care after SPHC involvement; better collaboration of all providers.