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Palliative care knowledge, information sources, and beliefs: Results of a national survey of adults in the USA.
- Source :
-
Palliative & supportive care [Palliat Support Care] 2020 Jun; Vol. 18 (3), pp. 285-292. - Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- Objective: Despite its established benefits, palliative care (PC) is not well known among patients and family/caregivers. From a nationally representative survey, we sought to assess the following associated with PC: knowledge, knowledge sources, and beliefs.<br />Methods: Data were drawn from the Health Information National Trends Study (HINTS 5 Cycle 2), a cross-sectional, survey of non-institutionalized adults aged 18+ years in the USA. Data were weighted and assessed by proportional comparison and multivariable logistic regression.<br />Results: A total of 3504 respondents were identified, and approximately 29% knew about PC. In the adjusted model, less PC knowledge was associated with: lower age (those aged <50), male gender, lower education (<high school graduation or high school graduate), and non-internet users. A little over half (55%) of respondents accessed healthcare providers first for PC information, and 80% considered providers the most trusted source of PC information. Most of the participants strongly/somewhat agreed that the goal of PC is to help friends and family cope with a patient's illness (90.6%), offer social and emotional support (93.4%), and manage pain and other physical symptoms (95.1%). Similarly, a majority (83.3%) strongly/somewhat agreed that it is a doctor's obligation to inform all patients with cancer about the option of PC.<br />Significance of Results: PC knowledge was generally low (1-in-3 respondents knew of PC), with significant differences according to age, gender, education, and internet use. These data provide a baseline from which PC education policies and interventions may be measured.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1478-9523
- Volume :
- 18
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Palliative & supportive care
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 31571557
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1017/S1478951519000786