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Research article
Perceptions and Attitudes towards the Concept and Approach of Palliative Care among Caregiver's of Patients on End-of-Life Care: A Cross-sectional Survey
Sameena Shah
Vancouver Island Health Authority
Corresponding Author
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BACKGROUND As care-giver’splay an integral role for patients as disease progresses, it is necessary to assess their knowledge and understanding of palliative care to ensure meaningful uptake before developing an appropriate palliative care program.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-giver’swho met the inclusion criteria and consented completed a questionnaire 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 and 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 enhanced understandingabout palliative care. Individuals aged <40 years, with an education level of Grade 10, children or relations of the patient were found to have significantly more knowledge and understanding about palliative care. The majority believed that the patient should be informed about the diagnosis and should be facilitated to carry out routine activities and fulfill wishes.CONCLUSION Nearly half of care giver’s of patients affected by incurable conditions have enhanced understanding of the PC approach.Two foundational aspects showed a consistently enhanced understanding 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 and the family. These findings should help inform the establishment of a palliative care program that fills the gaps in knowledge and understanding of this beneficial approach in care givers.
Keywords
Palliative Care, Care giver’s, Understanding, Attitudes, incurable disease
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This is a preprint. It has not completed peer review.
Research article
Perceptions and Attitudes towards the Concept and Approach of Palliative Care among Caregiver's 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
Version 2
Posted 06 Jan, 2020
No community comments so far
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
BACKGROUND As care-giver’splay an integral role for patients as disease progresses, it is necessary to assess their knowledge and understanding of palliative care to ensure meaningful uptake before developing an appropriate palliative care program.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-giver’swho met the inclusion criteria and consented completed a questionnaire 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 and 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 enhanced understandingabout palliative care. Individuals aged <40 years, with an education level of Grade 10, children or relations of the patient were found to have significantly more knowledge and understanding about palliative care. The majority believed that the patient should be informed about the diagnosis and should be facilitated to carry out routine activities and fulfill wishes.CONCLUSION Nearly half of care giver’s of patients affected by incurable conditions have enhanced understanding of the PC approach.Two foundational aspects showed a consistently enhanced understanding 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 and the family. These findings should help inform the establishment of a palliative care program that fills the gaps in knowledge and understanding of this beneficial approach in care givers.
Due to technical limitations the tables are available as a download in the Supplemental Files.