Introduction:

palliative care (PC) has included non-oncologic conditions among its scope although inclusion criteria for patients with advanced neurological diseases continues to be challenging.

Objective:

to learn about the perception of neurologists, residents and postgraduates on palliative care.

Method:

an online, ad hoc survey was conducted. The survey explored the perception of professional in four areas: work experience in collaborative work, neurological conditions that could qualify for PC, criteria for referral and self-perception of palliative care training.

Results:

60 replies were obtained. 73% of participants in the survey were neurologists with over 5 years of practice. 83% of surveyed physicians stated they had shared patients with PC professionals; 87% affirmed their experience had been positive or very positive. 53% found amyotrophic lateral sclerosis must receive PC in all cases and 80% considers the appropriateness of referring patients with other conditions only in advanced stages of the disease. The main criteria for referral mentioned was the making of anticipated decisions (66%), regardless of the years of practice. As to their self-perception of training in the handling of patients with advanced neurological disease at the end of life, 62% see themselves as very well prepared or satisfactorily prepared.

Conclusions:

in this first approach to the perspective of neurologists in Uruguay on palliative care, we stand out the need to create referral guidelines and strategies for collaborative work for the comprehensive handling of patients with neurological conditions that could qualify for benefiting from palliative care.

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