Blog

Since the “End-of-life care in rural communities” post on May 27, 2015, a new national survey on the topic has been published. Guest blogger Barry R. Ashpole of Guelph, Ontario, has provided the following commentary.

The Canadian Medical Association has now published the findings of a national survey of physicians in Canada - the first of its kind - who provide palliative care services.

The survey found that for 84% of respondents, palliative care was not their primary field of practice. Family physicians with a focused practice in palliative medicine and palliative medicine specialists – 16% of more than 1100 respondents – reported working an average of 36 hours per week in palliative care. Physicians who provide palliative care as part of their other clinical duties – 84% of respondents – reported working an average of seven hours providing palliative care services.

The survey also examined the differences between rural and urban areas for access to palliative care services. Just 35% of palliative medicine physicians in rural and remote areas reported having specialized palliative care teams to provide care in their area, compared to 79% of physicians in urban areas. Formal home health care for patients wishing to die at home was reported to be available by 49% of urban palliative medicine physicians versus 30% of rural physicians.

Canada must ensure minimum palliative medicine standards are met. Different strategies are needed for rural and urban settings to meet the needs of the population in a realistic yet appropriate way.

Additional information about the Canadian Medical Association survey can be found here: http://www.cspcp.ca/information/reports-publications.