Provision of palliative care services by family physicians is common

Objective: provision of palliative care services by primary care physicians is increasingly important with an aging population,but it is unknown whether us primary care physicians see themselves as palliative practitioners. methods: this study used cross-sectional analysis of data from the 2013 american board of family medicine maintenance of certification demographic survey. results: of 10,894 family physicians,33.1% (n = 3609) report providing palliative care. those providing palliative care are significantly more likely to provide non-clinic-based services such as care in nursing homes,home visits,and hospice. controlling for other characteristics,physicians reporting palliative care provision are significantly (p < .05) more likely to be older,white,male,rural,and practicing in a patient-centered medical home. conclusion: one third of family physicians recertifying in 2013 reported providing palliative care,with physician and practice characteristics driving reporting palliative care provision.