International Journal of Gerontology (Jun 2015)

Factors Associated with Attitude and Knowledge Toward Hospice Palliative Care Among Medical Caregivers

  • Shih-Yi Lee,
  • Chih-Hao Chen,
  • Gwo Che Huang,
  • Hui-Chun Ku,
  • Shou-Chuan Shih,
  • Chien-Liang Wu,
  • Chung-Lieh Hung,
  • Fang-Ju Sun,
  • Ching-Ping Hsu,
  • Yueh-Hsiu Ho,
  • Julie Hua-Ying Tai,
  • Yuen-Liang Lai,
  • Wen-Han Chang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijge.2015.05.007
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 2
pp. 98 – 102

Abstract

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Background: The present study aimed to explore the attitude and knowledge toward hospice palliative care among medical caregivers in Taiwan. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among medical staff attending a hospice palliative care conference. Results: Overall, 163 of 232 questionnaires were valid. Based on the results, 54.9% of opinions on who has the right to sign a Hospice Palliative Care Declaration for an autonomous patient was consistent with the Taiwan Hospice Palliative Care Article; 91.4% of opinions on whether a life-sustaining therapy has been authorized to withhold was consistent with the article, compared with only 28.3% of opinions on whether a life-sustaining therapy has been authorized to withdraw. The capability of medical staff to provide these three procedures was varied (Cochran's Q = 121.150, p 32.5 years (odds ratio = 0.41; 95% confidence interval, 0.22–0.90; p 9 years (odds ratio = 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.27–0.97; p < 0.05) tended to approach patients' informed consent of Hospice Palliative Care Declaration precisely. Conclusion: Life and work experience improve the accuracy of medical staff in providing hospice palliative care. A culture-based, case-oriented continuing education program and a timely revision of the Hospice Palliative Care Article are recommended to increase the consistency between the principle and the practice of hospice palliative care.

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