House officers' attitudes towards terminal care

Abstract

This study examined the change in doctor's knowledge, attitudes and management of the terminally ill during the pre-registration year. There was a slight improvement in the factual knowledge of most house officers, but some showed a deterioration in their understanding of the problems of the terminally ill. There were marked deficits in knowledge of symptom control. The house officers' own experience of serious illness or bereavement did not alter their measured knowledge or attitudes to the patients.