Awareness of Palliative Care among Healthcare Providers in Pakistan: A Survey

Palliative Care Awareness

Abstract

Objective: To assess the awareness of palliative care among healthcare providers in Pakistan.
Study Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in healthcare providers from various healthcare setups
in Pakistan, from 20^th March 2021 to 21^st May 2021.
Materials and Methods: A total of 134 responders from various hospitals answered a questionnaire-based
survey on the knowledge and palliative care practice among healthcare providers. The questionnaire was made
according to guidelines given By Shaheen Palliative Care Project, United Kingdom.
For data collection, convenience sampling was used and to present distribution of responses percentages and
frequencies were used. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS 17.
Result: In 134 responders, about 128 (95.5%) responders were involved in palliative care, but only 55 (41.0%)
were satisfied with palliative care given. Majority of responders 118 (88.0%) had idea regarding members of
palliative care team. About 124 (73.4%) responders knew that, palliative care should start at the time of
diagnosis and 123 (91.7%) gave correct response regarding the goal of palliative care. Most of the responders
124 (92.5%) were convinced that palliative care should be the part of curriculum at all health care levels.
Conclusion: Among healthcare providers across Pakistan, the majority have fair idea regarding palliative care
but a more than half of the responders were not satisfied with palliative care they are providing which is mainly
due to the lack in palliative medicine training. Palliative care should be the part of curriculum at all health care
levels with more online programs and workshops.

How to cite this: Kashif S. Awareness of Palliative Care among Healthcare Providers in Pakistan: A Survey. 2022; 3(4): 174-177. doi: http://doi.org/10.37185/LnS.1.1.224