As palliative oxygen therapy (POT) is beneficial only to a minority of patients with chronic breathlessness, it is no longer routinely recommended. This multi-national, online survey of respiratory and palliative medicine specialists, with 440 participants, identified that prescription of POT has decreased over the past decade; however a sizeable proportion of doctors, particularly within palliative care, still support and recommend POT. Further education and research regarding the optimal management of chronic breathlessness are required.
Keywords: attitude; breathlessness; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; oxygen; palliative; survey.
© 2019 Royal Australasian College of Physicians.