Abbas S Q, Muhammad S R, Mubeen S M, Abbas S Z.
Awareness of Palliative Medicine among Pakistani Doctors: a survey.
J Pak Med Assoc Jan ;54(4):195-9.

Objective: To establish the awareness of palliative medicine in Pakistani doctors through a questionnaire. Methods: A questionnaire was developed after consultation with the professionals working in palliative medicine. It was distributed, by hand, to a convenience sample of doctors who worked at various teaching hospitals in Pakistan. The distribution and collection of questionnaires was carried out within six months. Results: The results suggested that 74% doctors felt that cancer was the commonest reason for the palliative care teams to be involved. Forty five percent mentioned that pain control was their prime job; 54% said that they had some experience of palliative medicine; 64% wanted to be involved in palliative medicine; 60% thought that they broke bad news properly to the patients; 59% were satisfied with their own performance while dealing with an incurable patient (57% said that they had heard about a hospice). There was a wide range of drugs for the cancer pain. Conclusion: Amongst Pakistani doctors, there is a lack of training in palliative medicine. A significant number of doctors are interested and they are willing to have more training in pain control, breaking bad news, communication skills and terminal care (JPMA 54:195;2004).

USER COMMENTS

THINK THIS WAS A WONDERFUL SURVEY TO SEE WHERE YOU ARE.WONDER IF ANYONE HAS STARTED A PALLIATIVE CARE ASSOCIATION OR IF ONE HAS INTEREST IN STARTING ONE? I AM HOPING TO TALK ON PALLIATIVE CARE IN PAKISTAN.I WONDER WHAT ASPECT MAY BE THE MOST INTERESTING OR NEEDED.?AN OVERVIEW,LAST HRS,ETC MY EMAIL-ZAHIRASHAMSI@HOTMAIL.COM
Posted by: zahirasham on May 2005

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