KNOWLEDGE ABOUT PALLIATIVE CARE IN THE FAMILIES OF PATIENTS

Background: Although the need for a Comprehensive national palliative care program in Turkey has been expressed since the 1990s, progress in this endeavour has been slow. The aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge of palliative care among the family members of patients that require such care. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study included 150 family members of patients that were receiving palliative care at. a long-term acute care hospital. Soon after consecutive patients were admitted, to the palliative care unit their family members were administered a questionnaire measured palliative care knowledge. Results: Of the 150 participants, 68.0% had no prior knowledge of palliative care, whereas 11.3% did, Among the participants, 45.8% obtained information about palliative care following their family Member or close friend admission to the palliative care unit and in 25.0% the primary source of information was friends. In all 50.7% of the participants thought that palliative care could prolong life: and 32.7% thought that palliative care was designed to be curative. Conclusions: Overall, the level of knowledge of palliative care in the Turkish participants is poor. Comprehensive awareness campaigns are warranted to increase awareness of palliative care among the general population.