Improving Knowledge and Attitudes About Palliative Care Through Community Collaborations: A Mixed Methods...

Area of Science:

• Palliative Care
• Medical Education
• Community Health

Background:

• Limited awareness and negative perceptions of palliative care (PC) hinder access to specialized services.
• Patient, caregiver, and community education are crucial for improving understanding and attitudes towards PC.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of a 60-minute educational webinar on participants' knowledge and attitudes regarding specialty palliative care.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of community-based education in enhancing PC awareness.

Main Methods:

• A novel 60-minute webinar on specialty palliative care was delivered.
• Pre- and post-session surveys and qualitative interviews were used to assess changes in knowledge and attitudes.
• Participants included patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, and community members.

Main Results:

• Participants showed a significant increase in palliative care knowledge (Palliative Care Knowledge Scale, p < 0.001).
• Initial positive attitudes towards PC further improved post-webinar.
• Interviews revealed increased understanding of PC services and willingness to request referrals.

Conclusions:

• A concise webinar effectively enhanced knowledge and positive attitudes toward specialty palliative care.
• Educational interventions can empower individuals to seek and accept palliative care referrals.
• Improving PC awareness is vital for better patient and caregiver support.