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Palliative care knowledge, information sources, and beliefs: Results of a national survey of adults in the USA

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 October 2019

Eric Adjei Boakye Open the ORCID record for Eric Adjei Boakye [Opens in a new window] ,
Kahee A. Mohammed ,
Nosayaba Osazuwa-Peters ,
Min Jee Lee ,
Lauren Slomer ,
Damilola Emuze  and
Wiley D. Jenkins
Eric Adjei Boakye*
Affiliation:
Department of Population Science and Policy, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL
Kahee A. Mohammed
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
Nosayaba Osazuwa-Peters
Affiliation:
Saint Louis University Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
Min Jee Lee
Affiliation:
Department of Population Science and Policy, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL
Lauren Slomer
Affiliation:
Department of Population Science and Policy, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL
Damilola Emuze
Affiliation:
Department of Population Science and Policy, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL
Wiley D. Jenkins
Affiliation:
Department of Population Science and Policy, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL
*
Author for correspondence: Eric Adjei Boakye, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Department of Population Science and Policy, 201 E. Madison Street, PO Box 19664, Springfield, IL 62794-9664. E-mail: eadjeiboakye49@siumed.edu
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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.

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.

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.

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.

Keywords

Beliefs about palliative careHINTSPalliative care knowledgeSources of palliative care information seekingTrusted source of information for palliative care
Type
Original Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 18 , Issue 3 , June 2020 , pp. 285 - 292
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019

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Footnotes

*

Contributed equally to this work.

References

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