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Professional attitudes toward hospice care.
The Hospice Journal
|December 6, 1985
Summary
A survey of hospital staff found that 90% believe a hospice program is needed. Only 38% were satisfied with current end-of-life care services, highlighting a significant gap.
Area of Science:
- Palliative Care
- Healthcare Administration
- Medical Sociology
Background:
- University hospitals face increasing demands for specialized end-of-life care.
- Assessing professional staff attitudes is crucial for implementing new healthcare services like hospice.
- Existing services may not adequately meet patient and staff expectations for hospice care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the need for a hospice program at a major university hospital.
- To assess the feasibility of establishing hospice care services.
- To understand hospital professional staff attitudes towards hospice care.
Main Methods:
- An anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted in July 1983.
- The survey targeted 395 hospital professional staff, including physicians, house staff, nurses, and social workers.
- A total of 243 responses were collected, yielding a 62% response rate.
Main Results:
- Only 38% of respondents found current hospital services satisfactory for end-of-life care.
- A significant majority (90%) of respondents indicated a clear need for a dedicated hospice program.
- The study highlights a substantial perceived gap in existing palliative and hospice services.
Conclusions:
- There is a strong perceived need for a hospice program within the university hospital setting.
- Staff attitudes suggest that current services are insufficient, supporting the feasibility and necessity of a hospice program.
- Implementing a hospice program is recommended to improve end-of-life care.