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Docs Lack Hospice Info, Study Shows

Published on Tue Jan 17, 2012

Quality of life tops docs' priority list.

You may have more doctors on your side than you think, if you're trying to boost hospice care utilization.

A recent poll of physicians found that 96 percent think quality of life for dying patients is more important than ensuring they live as long as possible, according to the National Journal. That differs significantly from a poll released in February that found only 71 percent of the general public agreed.

Barriers: Twenty-four percent of poll-responding physicians said they were uncomfortable discussing death with patients. The same number said they were reluctant to bring up palliative care because they were worried patients and their families would think they had given up on them.

You may need to gear your education toward older docs. Younger physicians reported receiving more palliative care training in medical school -- 73 percent for docs 39 and under versus just 6 percent for those over 60.

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