. Kallol Bhadra; . Kazi S. Manir; . Arnab Adhikary; . Gaurav Kumar; . Amitabha Manna; . Shyamal K. Sarkar
Volume 5, Issue 2 , March 2015, , Pages 1-5
Abstract
Objective: To enquire about the level of awareness regarding various important aspectsof palliative medicine among doctors of various departments in four Medical Colleges inKolkata ...
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Objective: To enquire about the level of awareness regarding various important aspectsof palliative medicine among doctors of various departments in four Medical Colleges inKolkata through a questionnaire. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was developedby few members of Indian Association of Palliative Care. It was distributed, to a conveniencesample of doctors who worked at various departments in all four teaching hospitals inKolkata. The distribution and collection of questionnaires was carried out within four months.Results: The results suggested that 85% of the doctors felt that cancer was the commonestreason for the palliative care teams to be involved. Seventy four percent of the doctors mentionedthat pain control was their prime job; 53% said that they are enjoying their encounter withpalliative care, so far; 77% of the doctors thought breaking bad news is necessary in furtherdecision making process; only 22% of the doctors reported the WHO ladder of pain controlsequentially, 35% of the doctors believed other forms of therapies are useful in relieving pain,35% of the doctors thought that they gave enough importance and time for pain control; 77%said that they had heard about a hospice, among them still 61% of the doctors thought that thepatients should spend last days of their life at home. Thinking of the future, 92% of the doctorsthink that more and more people will need palliative care in the coming days. Conclusion:Amongst the doctors of various departments, there is a lack of training and awareness inpalliative care. Almost all the doctors are interested and they are willing to have more trainingin pain control, breaking bad news, communication skills and terminal care.