Perception and Knowledge of Hospice Care and Attitude toward Death Held by Medical Professionals from the Same Region in Korea.

Author: Young Eun LEE ¹ ; Eun Joung CHOI ; Joung Suk PARK ; Seong Hoon SHIN
Author Information

1. College of Nursing, Kosin University, Busan, Korea. jacob7410@kosin.ac.kr
Publication Type:Original Article
Keywords: Hospice care; Perception; Knowledge; Death
MeSH: Hospice Care*; Hospices*; Humans; Korea*; Palliative Care
From:Korean Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care 2013;16(4):242-252
CountryRepublic of Korea
Language:Korean
Abstract: PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine medical professionals' perception and knowledge of hospice and palliative care (HPC) and attitude toward death. METHODS: The survey was performed on 84 physicians and 172 nurses in Busan, Korea. Data were collected from April 5, 2012 to April 30, 2012. RESULTS: Regarding the purpose of HPC, the most popular perception was "To alleviate pain and accommodate comfort" among both physicians and nurses. For the need for HPC, "Terminal patients need a separate ward for emotional fluctuation" the answer chosen by both groups the most. Both groups scored low on knowledge of HPC. For pain and symptom management, physicians scored higher than nurses (physicians: 6.97+/-1.82, nurses: 5.68+/-1.93, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Considering the survey results, we suggest development of a program to improve medical professionals' perception and knowledge of HPC and attitude toward death.