'Worried to death': the assessment and management of anxiety in patients with advanced life-limiting disease, a national survey of palliative medicine physicians.

This is the first national survey on the assessment and management of anxiety in palliative care. Findings demonstrate the infrequent use of screening tools, variation in prescribing practice, potentially inappropriate use of benzodiazepines for patients with a prognosis of months, training gaps and poor access to psychological and psychiatric services in the UK. This highlights the need for formal training, further research into the pharmacological management of anxiety in this population and evidence-based national guidance to support clinical decision-making and service development.