Table 2 Perceived barriers to late referrals to palliative care specialist
Perceived Barriers to Palliative Care Specialists | Yes | No | I don’t know |
|---|---|---|---|
Palliative care specialists are not available in my hospital | 12 (7.8) | 130 (85.0) | 11 (7.2) |
Appointments with palliative care specialists are hard to get | 19 (12.4) | 120 (78.4) | 14 (9.2) |
My patients or family members do not like being referred to a palliative care specialist. | 119 (77.8) | 24 (15.7) | 10 (6.5) |
Referring to a palliative care specialist means that I abandon my patient | 132 (92.8) | 19 (12.4) | 2 (1.3) |
Palliative care specialists discourage active oncological therapy | 9 (5.9) | 135 (88.2) | 9 (5.9) |
Palliative care specialists in my country are not experienced/trained enough. | 11 (7.2) | 130 (85.0) | 12 (7.8) |
I can provide better symptom control management than them. | 15 (9.8) | 129 (84.3) | 9 (5.9) |
Patient deteriorates faster | 26 (17.0) | 112 (73.2) | 15 (9.8) |
Long-standing relationship with patient | 55 (35.9) | 89 (58.2) | 9 (5.9) |
Poor relationship with palliative care specialist | 20 (13.1) | 122 (79.7) | 11 (7.2) |