[Terminal care--in general practice].

In Norway approx. 25% of all deaths take place outside institutions. In a small rural community--Nord-Fron--almost 40% die outside institutions, 30% die in the local nursing home and only 30% die in hospitals. Today terminally ill patients are more often treated at home, with assistance from the local home nursing service and the general practitioner. We briefly review the problems and advantages of caring for the dying patient at home. This can be done if the patient and family wish, provided a strong doctor-patient relationship has been established and there is good communication with consultants at the hospital, sufficient nursing capacity and the possibility of short term admittance to a nursing home. One in six deaths take place suddenly and unexpectedly. It is thus an important and difficult task for the general practitioner to care for families grief.