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Research article
Perceptions and Attitudes about the Concept and Approach of Palliative Care among Carer’s and Family Members of Patients on End-of-Life Care: A Cross-sectional Survey
Sameena Shah
Vancouver Island Health Authority
Corresponding Author
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BACKGROUND It is necessary to assess carer's understanding of palliative care. The objectives of this study were to ascertain the attitudes and perceptions about the concept and components of palliative care.
METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted. Data was collected from the Aga Khan University Hospital in-patient and out-patient departments and home-based palliative care services from mid 2015 to 2016. All adult care-givers who met the inclusion criteria and gave informed consent were approached by trained data collectors till the sample size was reached.Univariate and multivariable analysis and results were reported as crude prevalence’s, crude and adjusted prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals using Cox-proportional hazard algorithm. Mean difference of knowledge and attitude scores by care giver variables was assessed using one-way ANOVA. SPSS version 18 was used and a p-value of less than 5 percent was treated as significant.
RESULTS Out of 250 care givers more than 60% were 40 years or less and the majority were males. Majority were at least graduates. Approximately 70% of the respondents agreed with the opinion that the person suffering from cancer should be informed about the diagnosis and disease progression. About forty five percent (95% C.I.: 39.03%, 51.37%) of the study respondents had correct knowledge about palliative care. Age and relationship with patient had the most variation in response in terms of significance.
CONCLUSION Young individuals aged <40 years, with an education level of matric, children or relations of the patient were found to have significantly more and correct knowledge. The majority believed that the patient should be informed about the diagnosis and that patients should be encouraged to carry out routine activities and be facilitated to fulfill their wishes. Two foundational aspects showed a consistently good understanding and therefore correct knowledge across age groups, gender, education level, and relationship with the patient. Firstly, that palliative care should be offered to everyone suffering from an incurable disease and, secondly, that this approach encompasses not just physical, but also psychological and social needs of the patient, in addition to the needs of the family caring for the patient.
Keywords
Palliative Care, Carer’s, knowledge, Attitudes, Life threatening disease
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This is a preprint. It has not completed peer review.
Research article
Perceptions and Attitudes about the Concept and Approach of Palliative Care among Carer’s and Family Members of Patients on End-of-Life Care: A Cross-sectional Survey
Sameena Shah
Vancouver Island Health Authority
Corresponding Author
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
History
CURRENT STATUS: Posted
No community comments so far
Version 1
Posted 14 Oct, 2019
No comments provided
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
The most recent version of this article is available here.
BACKGROUND It is necessary to assess carer's understanding of palliative care. The objectives of this study were to ascertain the attitudes and perceptions about the concept and components of palliative care.
METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted. Data was collected from the Aga Khan University Hospital in-patient and out-patient departments and home-based palliative care services from mid 2015 to 2016. All adult care-givers who met the inclusion criteria and gave informed consent were approached by trained data collectors till the sample size was reached.Univariate and multivariable analysis and results were reported as crude prevalence’s, crude and adjusted prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals using Cox-proportional hazard algorithm. Mean difference of knowledge and attitude scores by care giver variables was assessed using one-way ANOVA. SPSS version 18 was used and a p-value of less than 5 percent was treated as significant.
RESULTS Out of 250 care givers more than 60% were 40 years or less and the majority were males. Majority were at least graduates. Approximately 70% of the respondents agreed with the opinion that the person suffering from cancer should be informed about the diagnosis and disease progression. About forty five percent (95% C.I.: 39.03%, 51.37%) of the study respondents had correct knowledge about palliative care. Age and relationship with patient had the most variation in response in terms of significance.
CONCLUSION Young individuals aged <40 years, with an education level of matric, children or relations of the patient were found to have significantly more and correct knowledge. The majority believed that the patient should be informed about the diagnosis and that patients should be encouraged to carry out routine activities and be facilitated to fulfill their wishes. Two foundational aspects showed a consistently good understanding and therefore correct knowledge across age groups, gender, education level, and relationship with the patient. Firstly, that palliative care should be offered to everyone suffering from an incurable disease and, secondly, that this approach encompasses not just physical, but also psychological and social needs of the patient, in addition to the needs of the family caring for the patient.