Exploring the Challenges in Palliative Care As Perceived by the Saudi Physicians: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Palliative care is essential for managing patients with life-limiting illnesses. In Saudi Arabia, providing effective palliative care is uniquely challenging due to cultural, religious, and social factors. Despite healthcare advancements, there is a gap in understanding the challenges faced by physicians in palliative care within this context. Aims: This study aimed to explore the challenges encountered in palliative care as perceived by physicians in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using an electronic questionnaire distributed among physicians involved in palliative care at the specified healthcare institutions. The questionnaire assessed their perceptions of the challenges in palliative care and the influence of their socio-demographic backgrounds on these perceptions. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: The age distribution of the enrolled physicians showed that a majority were between 20-40 years old (48.48%, n = 96). Male physicians accounted for 64.65% (n = 128), and females for 35.35% (n = 70). Various specialties were represented, with critical care (15.66%, n = 31) and radiation oncology (16.67%, n = 33) being the most common. Major challenges identified included limited outpatient and inpatient services (54.55%, n = 108), restricted access to allied healthcare professionals (60.61%, n = 120), ethical dilemmas due to triaging (63.13%, n = 125), lack of telemedicine facilities (57.07%, n = 113), and the impact of the COVID19 pandemic on pain and palliative care research (60.1%, n = 119). Strategies adopted to mitigate these challenges included creating triage systems (54.55%, n = 108), using telemedicine (60.61%, n = 120), advanced care planning (63.13%, n = 125), and providing necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) (60.1%, n = 119). Conclusion: This study highlights significant barriers in palliative care, such as limited services, ethical dilemmas, and lack of telemedicine facilities. Addressing these challenges requires ethical support for healthcare providers, integration of telemedicine, continuous education, and improved access to multidisciplinary care teams, which are crucial for enhancing palliative care quality and ensuring comprehensive patient support.