Public Awareness and Attitude toward Palliative Care in Thailand

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to examine the Thai public’s awareness and attitude toward the end of life and palliative care. Methods: We surveyed between February and April 2018. The sampling was framed by the Thailand National Statistical Office and used a stratified four-stage sampling. A total of 2,394 adults aged 20 to 80 years who had lived in one of nine provinces across all of Thailand for at least 3 months were interviewed with a questionnaire, which consisted of four parts. Results: Thai culture and tradition were the main barriers to discuss the end of life preparation. Only 43% of the respondents, most of whom were elderly with chronic diseases, had concerned about the end of life. Most elderly respondents preferred to receive end-of-life care at home. Only 24% of respondents knew of palliative care. Most respondents believed that palliative care was provided in public hospitals. Most respondents (92%) were familiar with section 12 of the National Health Act., B.E. 2550, which states that a person has the right to refuse medical treatment; however, most (79%) had never heard of a living will and only 14% had experience of advance care planning. Conclusion: Public awareness on the end of life preparation of Thai people was challenged and limited. The main barriers to concerns about it are attitude and knowledge. Promoting and educating palliative care is necessary as well as improve the availability of palliative care, both institutional and home-based care.

Keywords

• end of life
• palliative care
• advance care planning
• living will