Objectives: The aim of this study was to ascertain the workload for rural general practitioners providing palliative care and to identify barriers to care for patients living in rural areas of New Zealand.
Design and methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of rural general practitioners using a postal questionnaire.
Results: One hundred eighty-six questionnaires were returned. Of respondents, 98% provided palliative care. The estimated mean number of patients cared for in the previous 12 months was 7.3. Specialist medical advice from a hospice or palliative care consultant was accessed by 77% of respondents. District and community nursing was available to over 90% of respondents but this was not universally available 24 hours a day in all areas. Forty-seven percent of rural palliative care patients died at home.
Conclusions: Commitment of general practitioners to palliative care appeared high although the workload was a relatively small part of their activity. There seems to be a need for wider availability of specialist advice, 24-hour nursing cover, and some support services. A commitment to supporting domiciliary services is needed if large increases in institutional care are to be avoided in the future.