Physicians’ Knowledge, Attitude and Practice toward Ethical and Medical Issues of Palliative Care in Suez Canal University Hospital

Abstract

Palliative care (PC) includes a varied range of medical and ethical aspects that should be considered. The role of physicians in PC is crucial so this work explores physicians' knowledge, attitude and practice toward PC in Suez Canal University hospital in Egypt. A questionnaire survey investigating physician's knowledge, attitude and practice in PC in 30 questions besides their personal and professional data. Nearly 31% of participants received education in PC. Only 5.5% realised that PC should be introduced to patients at all health-care levels. Most participants (70.9%) were not aware about the WHO three-step analgesic ladder. About 57.7% and 43.6% of participants preferred informing terminal patients about their diagnosis and prognosis, respectively. More than half of participants (58.6%) agreed that the medical intervention decision is the patient's right and 63.2% agreed that do not resuscitate choice is the patient or his family right if he is incompetent. Participants who do not have advance care plans discussions with their terminal patients represented 53.6%. This study indicated lack of knowledge and insufficient professionalism during management of terminal patients regarding some medical and ethical issues of PC. Formal education and training are urgently needed to improve the holistic vision and practice of PC in Egypt.