Karlsen Lillian 1 In case of life-limiting illness Dale, Karl Yngvar 2 Winsjansen, Bente 3 4 Lindseth, Gunnel Driller, Bardo 5
Research group; care and treatment of critically ill and dying patients, Møre og Romsdal Hospital Trust What is most (HMR), Molde university college. 1 The Centre for Health Innovation, Kristiansund 2 Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Care, Molde university college important for you? 3 Cancer coordination, Fræna and Eide municipalities, Elnesvågen and Eide, Norway 4 Cancer coordination, Kristiansund municipality, Kristiansund N, Norway 5 Møre and Romsdal Hospital Trust (HMR), Cancer department, Ålesund, Norway
To get relief of pain and suffering 54%* BACKGROUND: Research suggests that there is lack of knowledge and mostly negative perceptions towards palliative care in the public. An aging popu lation and it’s associated increase in the number of palliative patients urges us to explore the public’s understanding of the concept of palliative care. This is important to inform policymakers and to target edu cational strategies. Resulting public education needs to facilitate regional and cultural characteristics as Positive view of life 24% well as challenges that may be associated with demo graphic details.
AIM: To explore approaches of the public towards a palliative disease and check if the respondents’ Secure that family and priorities are associated with gender, age and level of education.
friends are not anxious METHODS: A paper survey with closed questions was sent to a sample of the public by random distribution or distressed 15% among employees in the eight municipalities in Romsdal, Norway (n=530). A question about what is most important in case of serious illness, like cancer, with limited life expectancy included four main topics; view of life, symptom management, practical support and relation to family and friends. We asked the participants to choose their highest priority. Descrip tive statistical analysis was used for demographic data Getting practical and preferences, while Chi-square test was applied for issues solved 7% association analyses.
DEMOGRAFIC DATA (n = 300, response rate 57%)
AGE 18–30 years (n=21)
59–80 years 31–44 years (n=78) 7 (n=75) 26 25
42 45–58 years 54%* 24% 15% 7% (n=126) *significantly more important for people from 59 to 80 years (p<0.05) EDUCATION Primary School (n=9) High School (n=42) 3 CONCLUSION: A sample of the public in Norway, especially in older 14 age, value relief of pain and suffering as most important for them in case of serious life-limiting illness. Identifying and reflecting the public’s
current perception and expectation towards palliative care is a key 83 College/ factor for educational strategies to empower individuals and to involve University (n=249) communities in future palliative care.
GENDER
Centre for Health Innovation Molde University College
69 % 31 % (n=207) (n=93) Centre for Development of Institutional and Home Møre og Romsdal care services Hospital Trust (HMR) Correspondence: Bardo Driller; [email protected], 004741381513