How are Family Physicians Involved in End-Of-Life Care? Health Services Research to Understand Gaps and Opportunities

As life expectancy increases, more people are living longer with serious chronic conditions. End-of-life care is increasingly needed in health care systems. In Canada, a small number of physicians specialize in palliative care and can support complex patient needs. The provision of basic palliative care across the system, including by family physicians, is needed to ensure high quality end-of-life care in the population. Evidence shows variation in end-of-life care in Canada. Family physicians play a central role in providing comprehensive care across the life span. Little is known about how they approach caring for patients nearing the end of life. This presentation will share key results of an ongoing program of research on family physician involvement in end-of-life care. It will also highlight challenges in health care generally, that are illuminated through this research.