Thread by @StephanieAncira

What is palliative care?

In six studies that examined public awareness about palliative care, all showed that the public is unfamiliar with palliative care. 59% of participants who did feel familiar with palliative care had a perception that was mostly inaccurate-

-such as thinking it is the same as hospice or end-of-life care. (1, 2)

Negative public attitudes toward palliative care is one of the many barriers to optimal use. Health system leaders report that 60% of patients who could benefit from palliative care do not receive it-

-in part, because they decline them. (3)

While we do care for some patients during end-of-life, our main focus is to work with patients and their families at any point in their medical journey. Palliative care supports a patient and their family as a whole-

-in very unique, individualized ways.

Increasing communication and public messaging regarding the way palliative care is defined and talked about is important. My goal is to provide education and awareness to palliative care. Let's chat! #hapc #pedpc @SWHPN

References:
(1) Center to Advance Palliative Care, Palliative Care Research:
Key Findings. 2019. capc.org/documents/651/
(Last accessed June 27, 2020).
(2) Public Opinions Research, 2011 Public Opinion Research on Palliative Care. 2011. media.capc.org/filer_public/1…

(3) Rahman A, Fields T, Shirsat N, et al.: Patient and caregiver perspectives on how to introduce community-based palliative care. J Palliat Med 2018;21:1544-1545.