A Survey on Palliative Care Practices of Healthcare Professionals in an Acute Care Hospital

Objective: This study intended to clarify whether healthcare professionals provide palliative care and the factors associated with such care. Methods: An anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted of healthcare professionals in in an acute care hospital in order to investigate their practice and understanding of palliative care as well as their personal attributes. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with their palliative care practice. Results: 605 of 955 respondents (response rate: 63%) answered. Twenty-three percent of all respondents answered that they were involved in palliative care practice. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed understanding the concept and practical components of palliative care, including the functions of palliative care, differences between primary and specialized palliative care, and advance care planning, were factors associated with palliative care practice. Conclusion: Palliative care specialists should provide the educational support for healthcare professionals to enable them to deepen their understanding of palliative care. Such support from the palliative care specialist may promote the health care professionals’ awareness of their own roles in palliative care.

Advantages of a shared database on conference and ward round performed by the palliative care team

<b>Purpose</b>: We developed a database that can be shared by the members of our palliative care team (PCT) before the conference and ward round (CR) to make these activities more efficient. <b>Methods</b>: The database was developed using Microsoft Access®. The condition of patients was evaluated using a Japanese version of the Support Team Assessment Schedule (STAS-J). The database allows any member of the team to input patient information. We also developed a form that allows us not only to share the information but to continuously observe the progress of the patients. To evaluate the advantages of the database on CR, we compared the number of patients observed in one CR and the number of CR's per patient before and after the introduction of the database. <b>Results</b>: The number of patients observed in one CR and the number of CR's per patient were significantly increased after the introduction of the database. <b>Conclusion</b>: The database had positive effects on CR by making the patient information available in advance and by allowing continuous evaluation of patients. Palliat Care Res 2011; 6(1): 209-215