Physicians (n = 44) | Nurses (n = 156) | p-value | |
---|---|---|---|
How important do you think the role of palliative medicine is in the care of terminally ill patients?* Mean (+/−sd) | 4.84 (0.43) | 4.72 (0.48) | 0.076 |
How beneficial do you think each patient group will benefit from palliative care?† Mean (+/−sd) | |||
Elderly Patients | 4.11 (0.84) | 4.16 (0.74) | 0.910 |
Patients with Dementia | 4.30 (0.79) | 3.74 (0.98) | 0.001 |
Patients with Cancer | 4.95 (0.21) | 4.65 (0.59) | 0.001 |
Patients with Organ Failure | 4.80 (0.46) | 4.48 (0.66) | 0.002 |
How important do you think each of the following indications are for palliative care referral?* Mean (+/−sd) | |||
Physical symptom control | 4.7 (0.55) | 4.6 (0.60) | 0.160 |
Psychological/emotional support | 4.4 (0.70) | 4.5 (0.65) | 0.612 |
Discharge/placement planning | 4.0 (0.96) | 4.4 (0.71) | 0.016 |
Which of the following do you feel is the biggest barrier in considering/recommending a referral to palliative care for your patient?‡ n(%) selecting | |||
Own uncertainty about what palliative care entails | 3 (6.8) | 22 (14.6) | |
Difficulty in prognostication / Unpredictable course disease | 26 (59.1) | 66 (43.7) | |
Patients’ fear of abandonment | 5 (11.4) | 30 (19.9) | 0.037 |
Medical costs/ Financial concerns | 1 (2.3) | 17 (11.3) | |
I have no difficulties or concerns | 9 (20.5) | 16 (10.6) |