Knowledge of and Barriers to Palliative Care Perceived by Healthcare Providers before and after Promotion of the Patient Autonomy Act: A Cross-Sectional Study

I-Hui Chen, Shu-Fen Kuo, Yen-Kuang Lin and Tsai-Wei Huang
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I-Hui Chen: School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
Shu-Fen Kuo: School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
Yen-Kuang Lin: Graduate Institute of Athletics and Coaching Science, National Taiwan Sport University, Taoyuan 33301, Taiwan
Tsai-Wei Huang: School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 7, 1-13

Abstract: This study was designed to investigate healthcare providers’ knowledge of palliative care and perceptions of palliative care barriers before and after promoting the Patient Autonomy Act (PAA). A convenience sample was recruited, including 277 healthcare providers in 2013 and 222 healthcare providers in 2018. Multivariate linear regression analyses were used to identify predictors of knowledge of and perceived barriers to palliative care. A principal component analysis was carried out to identify the most appropriate factorial structure for the contents of knowledge and perceived barriers to palliative care. Three factors related to knowledge of palliative care were identified in both 2013 and 2018 data: ‘policy, regulation, and promotion’, ‘philosophy and treatments’, and ‘myths and misunderstandings’. Study findings for the two periods were similar. As for barriers to providing palliative care, three factors were identified for 2013: ‘quality care’, ‘difficulties’ and ‘communication’, and for 2018, ‘information’, ‘attitudes’ and ‘quality care’ were identified. Study findings differed between the two periods. Policies can better reinforce mitigating strategies—including opportunities for education, shared decision making, and changes in institutions and care systems. Additionally, assessing barriers creates important opportunities for further research to address the most critical aspects in improving end-of-life care for patients and their families.

Keywords: barrier; healthcare provider; knowledge; palliative care; Patient Autonomy Act (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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