KNOWLEDGE OF PALLIATIVE CARE AND PREFERENCE OF END OF LIFE CARE A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY OF PATIENT AND HOME CAREGIVER IN RIYADH

Abstract

Background:
Palliative care (PC) is a specialist medical care that is provided to patients with severe illness regardless of their diagnosis to alleviate symptoms and stress. Awareness regarding PC and end-of-life (EOL) is necessary to initiate the necessary care to the patients promptly and properly. However, knowledge and awareness regarding PC are insufficient among the population.
Aim:
To identify the knowledge of PC and associated factors among patients and their caregivers in Riyadh.
Methods:
This cross-sectional research was conducted on patients and their caregivers in National Guard Hospital, King Faisal Specialist Hospital, and King Fahad Medical City in the period from--------to--------. The study was conducted using a survey that investigated the demographics and knowledge of the participants.
Results:
A total of 220 subjects participated in this research, and 45.5% had awareness before admission of patients to PC. There, 50.9% of the subjects reported home and specialized centers where PC is provided, and 83.2% reported healthcare providers as the source of their information. The knowledge was significantly varied with employment status (P=0.004), relation to the patient (P=0.003), PC duration (P=0.01), tumor location (P=0.002), and perspective of subjects regarding the place of PC provision (P=0.0001).
Conclusion:
There was low knowledge regarding PC and a preference for EOL. The knowledge of the participants varied with several factors, including employment status, relationship to the patient, duration of PC, and tumor location.