Table 4

Aspects of end-of-life care identified as difficult or challenging

Frequency of item selection by GPs, n (%)
Whether care could have been improved (n=208)
 Yes72 (32.7)
 No147 (66.8)
 Missing1 (0.5)
Different aspects of end-of-life care (total no of responses=384)*
 Physical treatment and care of the patient88 (22.9)
 Psychological, social and existential treatment and care of the patient76 (19.8)
 Communication, planning and decision making with the patient45 (11.7)
 Communication, planning and decision making with the family and other informal caregivers40 (10.4)
 Coordination with other services and continuity of care22 (5.8)
 Communication/information exchange with other services25 (6.5)
 Support of family and informal caregivers50 (13.0)
 Support of the patient to stay at home/be cared at home38 (9.9)
  • *GPs were requested to select up to three most challenging tasks for care of each patient. Percentages were calculated based on total responses.

  • GP, general practitioner.