Destigmatizing Palliative Care among Young Adults-A Theoretical Intervention Mapping Approach

Area of Science:

• Medical Sociology
• Public Health
• Palliative Care Research

Background:

• Palliative care faces significant stigma, often equated with death and dying, hindering timely integration.
• Demographic shifts and rising cancer prevalence necessitate increased focus on palliative care.
• Existing destigmatization efforts primarily target the general public, not specific age groups like young adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a theoretical framework for an intervention campaign targeting young adults (18-24 years) to destigmatize palliative care.
• To address the gap in interventions focused on younger demographics regarding palliative care perception.
• To lay the groundwork for systematic destigmatization of palliative care among emerging adults.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of young adults' (18-24 years) perception and knowledge of palliative care.
• Application of the Intervention Mapping approach to design a targeted campaign.
• Identification of effective settings and interventionist roles for reaching the target demographic.

Main Results:

• Young adults can be effectively reached through secondary schools, vocational schools, and universities.
• Interventions should facilitate open discussions about palliative care, death, and dying.
• Environmental changes are needed to increase palliative care presence and reduce taboos surrounding death and dying.

Conclusions:

• Early engagement with palliative care can reduce long-term stigma and address demographic changes.
• A multimodal intervention combining knowledge dissemination, exchange, and media presence is effective.
• Targeting young adults can counter existing stigmatization within their peer groups.