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Matthys M, Chambaere K, Beernaert K, Cohen J, Van Brussel L, Deforche B, Quintiens B, Deliens L, Dhollander N. What does the general public know about palliative care? A population-based survey. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2024:spcare-2023-004384. [PMID: 37699664 DOI: 10.1136/spcare-2023-004384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The need for public education on palliative care has been widely argued for. To develop effective educational strategies, a stronger evidence base is needed on what exactly is known and unknown about palliative care as well as what the differences are between subgroups. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional population-based survey. Mail questionnaires were sent to a random sample of 4400 citizens (aged ≥16 years) within 4 municipalities in Flanders, Belgium. The Palliative Care Knowledge Scale (PaCKS) was used to measure knowledge. Associations between knowledge and sociodemographics and various experiential factors were tested, as well as the congruence between actual and self-perceived knowledge scores. RESULTS Response was obtained from 2008 (45.6%) citizens. The mean PaCKS score was 7.87 (SD 3.41; range 0-13) with the highest proportion (84.7%) correctly answering that palliative care is not specifically for older adults and the lowest (32.1%) correctly answering that improving the ability to participate in daily life is a palliative care goal. Being aged between 30 and 59, non-religious, more highly educated, having professional healthcare experience and knowing palliative care through personal experience were significantly associated with higher knowledge, while sex and informal caregiving experience were not. 52.4% self-perceived their knowledge as lower than it actually was. CONCLUSIONS While the general public seems to be familiar with some basic concepts of palliative care, several key aspects remain unknown. Educational strategies, with suggested potential for community-based and experience-based approaches, may need to focus specifically on these aspects and not just on the broader palliative care concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjolein Matthys
- End-of-Life Care Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) & Ghent University, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kenneth Chambaere
- End-of-Life Care Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) & Ghent University, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kim Beernaert
- End-of-Life Care Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) & Ghent University, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Joachim Cohen
- End-of-Life Care Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) & Ghent University, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Medicine & Chronic Care, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Benedicte Deforche
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Movement and Nutrition for Health and Performance Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bert Quintiens
- End-of-Life Care Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) & Ghent University, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Medicine & Chronic Care, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Luc Deliens
- End-of-Life Care Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) & Ghent University, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Naomi Dhollander
- End-of-Life Care Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) & Ghent University, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Medicine & Chronic Care, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
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Batzler YN, Schallenburger M, Schwartz J, Marazia C, Neukirchen M. The General Public and Young Adults' Knowledge and Perception of Palliative Care: A Systematic Review. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:957. [PMID: 38786369 PMCID: PMC11121430 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12100957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: As a result of demographic change, chronic and oncological diseases are gaining importance in the context of public health. Palliative care plays a crucial role in maintaining the quality of life of those affected. International guidelines demand access to palliative care not only for the elderly but also for younger people who face severe illnesses. It can be assumed that palliative care will become increasingly important for them. In order to develop public health strategies which are able to promote palliative care, it is important to assess the knowledge of, and attitude towards, palliative care as found among members of the general public and its specific target groups. In particular, little is known about young adults' knowledge and perceptions of palliative care. Objectives and design: This work aimed to assess the understanding and viewpoints regarding palliative care among the general population and among young adults aged 18 to 24. We therefore conducted a systematic review, which, for this target population, could be seen as a novel approach. Methods: Exclusion and inclusion criteria were developed using the PICOS process. Literature was researched within MEDLINE (via PubMed), Google Scholar and Web of Science. A search string was developed and refined for all three databases. Grey literature was included. Duplicates were excluded using Mendeley. The literature was independently screened by two researchers. Narrative synthesis was used to answer the main research question. Results: For the general public, palliative care is still associated with death and dying and comforting sick people towards the end of their lives. Multiple social determinants are linked to better knowledge of palliative care: higher education, higher income, female gender, having relatives that received palliative care, and permanent employment. The population's knowledge of palliative care structures increases, the longer such structures have been established within a country. Young adults are familiar with the term palliative care, yet their understanding lacks nuance. They associate palliative care with death and dying and perceive palliative care to be a medical discipline primarily for the elderly. Nevertheless, young adults demand participation within the planning of interventions to destigmatize palliative care. Conclusions: The general public still lacks a detailed understanding of palliative care. Palliative care faces stigma at multiple levels, which creates barriers for those who set out to implement it. However, addressing young adults as a crucial peer group can help break down barriers and promote access to palliative care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann-Nicolas Batzler
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Palliative Medicine, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (Y.-N.B.); (J.S.); (M.N.)
| | - Manuela Schallenburger
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Palliative Medicine, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (Y.-N.B.); (J.S.); (M.N.)
| | - Jacqueline Schwartz
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Palliative Medicine, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (Y.-N.B.); (J.S.); (M.N.)
| | - Chantal Marazia
- Department of the History, Philosophy and Ethics of Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany;
| | - Martin Neukirchen
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Palliative Medicine, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (Y.-N.B.); (J.S.); (M.N.)
- Department of Anesthesiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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Kim B, Lee J, Choi YS. Public awareness of advance care planning and hospice palliative care: a nationwide cross-sectional study in Korea. BMC Palliat Care 2023; 22:205. [PMID: 38151721 PMCID: PMC10752019 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-023-01333-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Advance care planning (ACP) and hospice palliative care (HPC) have potential benefits for individuals and health systems. Public awareness of them might increase their acceptance. OBJECTIVES To examine public awareness of ACP and HPC and related factors including individuals' experience of health care among Korean population. METHODS A cross-sectional study based on a nationally representative sample was conducted. Data from participants aged 15 years or older were examined. Socio-demographic characteristics, health-related factors, health care experience in the past year, and awareness of ACP and HPC were analyzed. Subgroup analysis was conducted to determine associations between specific experiences during outpatient visit and awareness of ACP and HPC. RESULTS Of a total of 13,546 subjects, 39.3% and 35.7% reported awareness of ACP and HPC, respectively. About half (48.6%) of participants reported that they were completely unaware of ACP or HPC. Recent outpatient visit was positively associated with HPC awareness. Participants were more likely to recognize ACP or HPC if they had experience in hospitalization and health checkup over the past year and had trust in the medical system. Conversely, participants who had inadequate health care access due to cost burden showed low awareness of ACP and HPC. CONCLUSION There was a lack of public awareness of ACP and HPC. There were significant differences depending on various factors, especially individual health care experiences. Appropriate interventions are needed to facilitate discussion of ACP and HPC, thereby increasing public awareness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boram Kim
- Division of Health Policy, Bureau of Health Policy, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Sejong-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Junyong Lee
- Department of Family Medicine, Veterans Health Service (VHS) Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Youn Seon Choi
- Department of Family Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Reigada C, Sandgren A, Rivas S, Carvajal A, Hermida-Romero S, Benítez E, Ripoll G, Olza I, Centeno C, Gómez B. Palliative care stay room - designing, testing and evaluating a gamified social intervention to enhance palliative care awareness. BMC Palliat Care 2023; 22:46. [PMID: 37081434 PMCID: PMC10116670 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-023-01166-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The message of palliative care can be promoted using creative thinking and gamification. It can be an innovative strategy to promote changes in behaviour, promote thinking, and work on skills such as empathy. AIM Design, test and evaluate a gamified social intervention to enhance palliative care awareness among young university students from non-health background. METHODS Participatory action research study with mixed methods, Design Thinking and using the Public Engagement strategy. Forty-three undergraduate students participated in a Palliative Care Stay Room and completed the Test of Cognitive and Affective Empathy (TECA) before and after the game. At the end of the game, a ten-minute debriefing was held with the participants, which was concluded with an open conversation. The content analysis was done independently and the sum of the scores of each dimension was compared before and after the activity. FINDINGS The Stay Room improved the participants' knowledge and new perspectives about palliative care. Before the game, their views focused on the end of life and after the game on their values, highlighting the dedication of the healthcare professionals who do not treat death but the life until death. After de game, participants (N = 43: female = 23; male = 20; x̄ 19.6 years old) presented higher values in perspective adoption (intellectual ability to put oneself in the other's place) p = 0.046 and in emotional understanding (ability to recognize emotional states) p = 0.018, and had high scores on empathic joy (p = 0.08). CONCLUSION Gamification can be used in teaching and transmitting positive attitudes. Palliative Care and can help young university students to think positively about care issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Reigada
- ATLANTES Global Observatory of Palliative Care, Institute for Culture and Society, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Anna Sandgren
- Center for Collaborative Palliative Care, Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
| | - Sonia Rivas
- School of Education and Psychology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ana Carvajal
- ATLANTES Global Observatory of Palliative Care, Institute for Culture and Society, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.
- School of Nursing, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
| | - Santiago Hermida-Romero
- ATLANTES Global Observatory of Palliative Care, Institute for Culture and Society, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Edgar Benítez
- ATLANTES Global Observatory of Palliative Care, Institute for Culture and Society, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Guillem Ripoll
- School of Economics and Business, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Inés Olza
- Emotional Culture and Identity Project, Institute for Culture and Society, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carlos Centeno
- ATLANTES Global Observatory of Palliative Care, Institute for Culture and Society, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Beatriz Gómez
- School of Communication, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
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