Perceptions of Healthcare Workers Regarding Palliative Care Services in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in North India – A Mixed Methods Observational Study

OBJECTIVES: Cancers and various terminal illnesses need integrated palliative care with curative management, but, unfortunately, our health care system mainly focuses on the treatment of disease. Lack of awareness, difficulty in pain management and untrained staff are some of the challenges in palliative care services. The study was done to explore the perception of healthcare workers regarding availability, utilisation and challenges in the delivery of palliative care services. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A mixed method study was conducted at tertiary care teaching hospital in North India. Qualitative approach using interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) among healthcare workers was done to understand their knowledge, perception, barriers and challenges in implementing palliative care services. One hundred and thirteen healthcare workers were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire and FGD was conducted to gain more insight into the issues of palliative care. The data obtained was analysed with the help of computer software Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 23 for windows. The data was presented as proportion and mean (S.D.) as deemed appropriate for qualitative and quantitative variables respectively. Thematic analysis was done with the data of FGD. RESULTS: The knowledge, attitude and practices regarding palliative care were poor across the HCW. During FGD with faculty and residents, the participants showed great concern about the absence of palliative care across many specialties while expressing an acute need for the establishment of a separate interdisciplinary unit on palliative care to improve the quality of life in patients. CONCLUSION: The study shows that there are gaps that need to be addressed to make palliative services available in our hospital.