THE MANAGEMENT OF TERMINAL ILLNESS - OPINIONS OF THE MEDICAL AND NURSING STAFF IN A PARIS UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

The views of French physicians and nurses of the organization of palli ative care have not been previously analyzed. We surveyed opinion on t he care of the terminally ill in a 1000-bed Paris university hospital. Data were obtained in 1992 by non-directed interviews of leading phys icians and semi-directed interviews of nurses. Most physicians wished to manage terminal care in their departments. Patient and family prefe rences were considered in choosing the place for care. Treatment of ho spitalized patients should be limited to relieving symptoms. Departmen t heads and senior nurses agreed on most problems encountered in the m anagement of care. The psychological burden borne by nurses was emphas ized. Terminal care training and the possibility of consulting experts in palliative care were the main suggestions for improvement cited by both department heads and senior nurses. Integrating this knowledge i nto the planning process should result in improved care and in increas ed satisfaction for the care providers.