Perceptions of healthcare professionals towards palliative care

Main Article Content

Janyarak Ploysupha

Abstract

Palliative care has evolved from the philosophy of hospice care established by Cicely Saunders. Its primary objective is to improve the quality of life for patients facing life-threatening illnesses by addressing individual needs. This involves preventing and alleviating physical and emotional suffering, responding to spiritual needs, and providing support to patients' families. As society transitions into an aging population, there is a growing emphasis on the importance of palliative care in responding to the increased demand for comprehensive support. The current focus on caring for the elderly, particularly those with chronic illnesses, underscores the need for palliative care, which has a profound impact on overall healthcare systems. Medical professionals play a crucial role in providing palliative care and must possess the knowledge, skills, and a compassionate attitude necessary for such care. This article aims to explore the significance of palliative care and perceptions of healthcare professionals.


The study results on the importance of palliative care encompass various components, including emotional and psychological support, enhancing the quality of life, holistic care, symptom management, family support, continuous care, and respecting the needs of the patients.


The study on the awareness of healthcare professionals reveals that medical personnel need to seek knowledge and understanding in the following areas related to palliative care: philosophy of palliative care, interdisciplinary teamwork, communication skills, advance care planning, ethics and culture, end-of-life care, education and training.

Article Details

How to Cite
Ploysupha, J. (2023). Perceptions of healthcare professionals towards palliative care. Vajira Nursing Journal, 25(2), 131–139. Retrieved from https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/vnj/article/view/265908
Section
Review article

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