BACKGROUND:
Interpersonal relationships are essential in the delivery of adult palliative care by primary health care professionals (PHCP). General medicine physicians and nurses play a key role due to continuous patient contact and long-term care coordination1-4. This study aimed to examine differences in interpersonal relationships between PHCP working in adult palliative care units (PallCare) and those working in other units.

METHODS:
This secondary analysis used data from standardized annual cross-sectional employee satisfaction surveys conducted in primary health care in 2024. Participants assessed recognition and appreciation of their work, direct collaboration with colleagues, management and organization of work, and patients’ attitudes toward them using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = “very poor” to 5 = “excellent”). The sample included 1,272 PHCP, of whom 208 (16.4%) worked in palliative home care units. Categorical variables were analyzed using the chi-square test, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS:
A significantly lower proportion of PHCP working in adult PallCare than those in other units rated, as “excellent” or “good”, recognition and appreciation of their work (119; 49.0% vs. 710; 66.9%), direct collaboration with colleagues (158; 77.1% vs. 909; 85.2%), and management and organization of work (110; 52.2% vs. 705; 66.4%), p < 0.05. In contrast, a higher proportion of PHCP in adult PallCare rated patients’ attitudes toward them as “excellent” or “good” compared to the professionals in other units (161; 78.5% vs. 627; 67.7%), p < 0.05.

CONCLUSIONS:
PHCP in palliative care reported lower satisfaction with recognition, teamwork, and work organization but more positive interactions with patients5. Enhancing support and organizational practices may improve job satisfaction and the overall quality of palliative care delivery3,5.