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Original Research
Doctors’ knowledge, attitudes and practices of palliative care in two South African districts
Submitted: 16 February 2024 | Published: 30 September 2024
About the author(s)
Tessa A. McMillan, Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South AfricaLauren Hutton, Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
Louis Jenkins, Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; and, PHC Directorate; Family, Community and Emergency Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; and, Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, George Hospital, Western Cape Department of Health, George, South Africa
Abstract
Background: In South Africa, most palliative care takes place in health districts as part of home-based care provided by nongovernment organisations (NGOs). The National Policy Framework and Strategy on Palliative Care (NPFSPC) aims to ensure adequate numbers of palliative care trained healthcare workers. Guidelines and tools such as the Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool (SPICT) assist in identifying and caring for patients needing palliative care.
Aim: To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of public sector doctors to provide palliative care in the Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts.
Setting: The study was conducted at public sector district-level hospitals.
Methods: A descriptive observational cross-sectional survey was conducted. The study population included all public sector district-level doctors. Participation was voluntary, and 73 responses (60%) were obtained. Data were collected with an online questionnaire using the adapted ‘Knowledge Attitudes Practice’ model. Quantitative data were imported into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences for analysis.
Results: Participants had poor knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding palliative care. There was a statistically significant difference between the knowledge of junior doctors and senior doctors, with 78% of junior doctors having inadequate palliative care knowledge. Only 25% of respondents had received formal postgraduate palliative care training. Seventy (96%) participants reported that home was the best care setting for terminally ill patients.
Conclusion: Doctors in the Garden Route and Central Karoo need further training to meet the NPFSPC standards.
Contribution: This study adds to the palliative care field, highlighting the need for ongoing training of doctors.
Keywords
Sustainable Development Goal
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