General practitioners’ perceptions of the barriers and solutions to good quality palliative care in dementia

Gillian Carter*, Jenny T Van der Steen, Karen Galway, Kevin Brazil

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)
1684 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The general practitioner (GP) is in a pivotal position to initiate and adapt care for their patients living with dementia. This study aimed to elicit GPs' perceptions of the potential barriers and solutions to the provision of good-quality palliative care in dementia in their practices. A postal survey of GPs across Northern Ireland was conducted with open-ended items soliciting for barriers in their practices and possible solutions; 40.6% (138/340) were returned completed. Barriers to palliative care in dementia were perceived to be a dementia knowledge deficit for healthcare staff and the public, a resource shortfall within the GP practice and community, poor team coordination alongside inappropriate dementia care provision, and disagreements from and within families. These findings have significant implications for educators and clinicians as enhanced dementia education and training were highlighted as a strong agenda for GPs with the suggestions of dementia awareness programmes for the public.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)79-95
Number of pages17
JournalDementia:The International Journal of Social Research and Practice
Volume16
Issue number1
Early online date16 Apr 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01 Jan 2017

Keywords

  • Dementia
  • family carers
  • General Practitioners
  • Palliative Care
  • Perceptions

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