Knowledge & Attitude of the Family members on Hospice & Palliative Care

Abstract

Background: In India, the emerging practice and challenges in palliative care is still need to be addressed. Although the need of palliative care is increasing in India, the socioeconomic status of the country will be considered as a vital part in developing this care. Many palliative care centers has been arrived but the involvement of family members make the patient to feel better. The India had a score of 2/5 in public awareness of end of life care, but the report attributes in part of Indians reluctance to openly discuss death and dying. So The study was aimed to identify the Knowledge and Attitude of family members on hospice and palliative care. Methods: The study was conducted among family members of patient admitted in intensive care unit in selected hospital puducherry, who fulfills the inclusion criteria. The sample size was 30 and selected through purposive sampling technique. Quantitative approach and descriptive research design was used. The researcher used semi structured questionnaire to identify the knowledge and attitude towards hospice and palliative care with terminally ill clients. Results: The major findings of the study showed that 16(53%) members had average knowledge and 14(47%) members had the average level of attitude towards hospice and palliative care. Conclusion: The study statistically proved that the knowledge and attitude towards hospice and palliative care was average among the family members of terminally ill patients. There is a need to create awareness among care givers on hospice & palliative care.