Demographic factors and awareness of palliative care and related services.
BACKGROUND
Palliative care is not accessed by all those who can benefit from it. Survey aim: To explore awareness of palliative care and related services among UK oncology out-patients, and to analyse the relationship between demographic characteristics and knowledge.


METHODS
Cross-sectional interview-based survey. Analysis comprised univariate and multiple logistic regression.


METHODS
Oncology out-patients receiving curative treatments at two district general hospitals in north-west London between December 2004 and April 2005.


RESULTS
A total of 252 (94%) eligible clinic patients were interviewed. Only 47 (18.7%) patients recognised the term 'palliative care', but 135 (67.8%) understood the role of the hospice, and 164 (66.7%) understood the role of Macmillan nurses. Age-adjusted multiple logistic regression showed that recognizing the term 'palliative care' was more likely among the most socially and materially affluent patients than those who were the poorest (OR: 8.4, CI: 2.17-31.01, p =0.002). Understanding the role of Macmillan nurses was also more likely among the most socially and materially affluent patients compared with the poorest patients (OR: 7.0, CI: 2.41-18.52, p <0.0001), and was independently less likely among patients from black and minority ethnic groups than those who were classified as being white British (OR=0.5, CI:0.25-0.96, p =0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Awareness of palliative care and related services was low among black and minority ethnic groups, and the least affluent.
Koffman
Jonathan
J
Department of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, King's College London School of Medicine, London. jonathan.koffman@kcl.ac.uk
Burke
Geraldine
G
Dias
Angela
A
Raval
Bharti
B
Byrne
Judi
J
Gonzales
Juan
J
Daniels
Charles
C
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013727:Terminal Care