Table 3 Self-reported behaviours
Physicians (n = 44) | Nurses (n = 156) | p-value | |
|---|---|---|---|
Always speak about extent of care to terminally ill patients* n(%) agree | 40 (88.9) | 67 (42.9) | 0.001 |
Always have conversations about palliative care to terminally ill patients* n(%) agree | 35 (77.8) | 65 (41.7) | 0.001 |
When would you consider a referral to palliative care?* n(%) agree | |||
When first diagnosed with life limiting illness | 15 (34.9) | 115 (73.7) | 0.001 |
At symptom onset | 43 (97.7) | 128 (82.6) | 0.011 |
When illness becomes terminal | 44 (100.0) | 150 (96.2) | 0.187 |
If family or patient demonstrate distress | 40 (93.0) | 113 (72.4) | 0.005 |
How confident are you in explaining the role of palliative care to patients?† Mean (+/−sd) | 3.7 (0.74) | 3.2 (0.86) | 0.001 |
How do you first communicate the option of palliative care to patients and families?* n(%) selecting | |||
Hold a patient and/or family conference | 39 (88.6) | 57 (37.7) | |
Refer to palliative care | 5 (11.4) | 87 (57.6) | 0.001 |
Do not broach topic | 0 (0.0) | 7 (4.6) | |
How confusing do you find the different terminologies used (e.g terminal care, best supportive care, comfort care) are?‡ Mean (+/sd) | |||
How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements about palliative care?§ Mean (+/−sd) | 2.7 (1.06) | 2.7 (0.98) | 0.855 |
PC referrals are an underutilized service | 3.6 (0.99) | 3.4 (1.06) | 0.184 |
Nurses should be included more in end of life conversations | 4.3 (0.59) | 4.0 (0.80) | 0.015 |
There should be more PC training to healthcare workers | 4.6 (0.50) | 4.2 (0.72) | 0.003 |
The general public does not know enough about PC | 4.6 (0.54) | 4.2 (0.82) | 0.007 |