Exploring awareness and perceptions of palliative care: a descriptive cross-sectional survey study in Central Europe

To assess awareness, knowledge, and preferences regarding palliative care in two Central European countries (Slovenia and Croatia) and the Austrian federal state of Styria. The study explored differences in the sources of information, public perceptions, and preferred settings for end-of-life care.

In this descriptive cross-sectional survey, we enrolled a community-based sample of adults (≥18 years) residing in the three regions. Propensity score matching was applied to balance demographic variables in the analysis. Overall and matched samples were reported for the three regions.

The study enrolled 1586 respondents; 78.2% had at least heard of palliative care. In the matched sample (n=462), respondents from Austria had the highest awareness of palliative care goals (74.4%), and those from Slovenia had the highest preference for obtaining information from traditional media (54.4%). Opinions on death discussions varied significantly; in Austria, there was the highest percentage (69.5%) of respondents who felt death was insufficiently discussed in society. The preferred end-of-life care setting was home, with Austrians having the highest preference for this setting (70.8%).

The study revealed notable disparities in awareness, knowledge, and preferences regarding palliative care, although the sample size varied between countries. These differences should be addressed by tailored communication strategies and public health campaigns, which should align health care services with the preferences and needs of the population. The findings provide insights into how to improve end-of-life care and enhance public understanding of palliative services in three Central European regions.