Assessment Of Knowledge And Attitude Of Nurses And Doctors Towards Palliative Care In Shahida Islam Teaching Hospital, Lodhran

Abstract

Background of study:Palliative care (PC) seeks to enhance the quality of life for patients and their families facing life-threatening illnesses by avoiding and reducing suffering via early diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of pain and other physical, psychological, and spiritual concerns  (WHO, 2020).Palliative care needs to be given more attention because of the rise in the prevalence of chronic and fatal diseases like cancer, severe heart disease, and neurological ailments worldwide. Nurses and doctors, being the backbone of healthcare delivery, play a vital role in ensuring effective palliative care through direct patient interaction, symptom management, and psychosocial support.

Palliative care is still undeveloped in many low- and middle-income countries, including Pakistan, where medical personnel lack proper training and facilities, despite its significance  (Toqan, 2023). Given their critical role in providing skilled and compassionate palliative care, it is imperative to comprehend the present state of knowledge and attitudes among nurses and doctors .