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Perception and attitude toward end of life in Albania
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Abstract
Background. The main aim of the study is to explore the perceptions and attitudes of health professionals, patients’ relatives and general public regarding end of life issues.
Materials and methods. The authors have used the qualitative method as suitable approach to reach the goal of the study. The sample is 140 participants respectively; 56 health professionals, 60 patient relatives and 44 people from wide public. There were developed 15 focus groups discussions in 7 main cities of the country; 4 with health professionals, 5 with relatives’ of cancer patients and 4 with general public.
Results. Most of the patients relatives, general public and health professionals defined easy end of life as: to be treated with dignity and respect; being auto-sufficient; living in a family environment; being close with friends and family members; living without pain and suffering. Most of physician don’t tell the truth to the cancer patients asserting that: familiars don’t allow them; the low health culture among population affects their perception and attitude on this topic; communication issue have not been part of curricula; and most of them are not trained on how to tell the truth.
Conclusions. Main findings of the study are: Albanian Society is not prepared for a real assessment and proper solution to the end of life issue. The fact that there is nothing beyond death is the main reason for fear. Albanian health professionals are not prepared to communicate the terminal diagnosis to cancer patients.
Abstract
Background. The main aim of the study is to explore the perceptions and attitudes of health professionals, patients’ relatives and general public regarding end of life issues.
Materials and methods. The authors have used the qualitative method as suitable approach to reach the goal of the study. The sample is 140 participants respectively; 56 health professionals, 60 patient relatives and 44 people from wide public. There were developed 15 focus groups discussions in 7 main cities of the country; 4 with health professionals, 5 with relatives’ of cancer patients and 4 with general public.
Results. Most of the patients relatives, general public and health professionals defined easy end of life as: to be treated with dignity and respect; being auto-sufficient; living in a family environment; being close with friends and family members; living without pain and suffering. Most of physician don’t tell the truth to the cancer patients asserting that: familiars don’t allow them; the low health culture among population affects their perception and attitude on this topic; communication issue have not been part of curricula; and most of them are not trained on how to tell the truth.
Conclusions. Main findings of the study are: Albanian Society is not prepared for a real assessment and proper solution to the end of life issue. The fact that there is nothing beyond death is the main reason for fear. Albanian health professionals are not prepared to communicate the terminal diagnosis to cancer patients.
Keywords
end of life; death; health professional; relatives; tell the truth
About this articleTitle
Perception and attitude toward end of life in Albania
Journal
Advances in Palliative Medicine
Issue
Pages
1-5
Published online
2012-11-02
Page views
750
Article views/downloads
3729
Bibliographic record
Advances in Palliative Medicine 2012;11(1):1-5.
Keywords
end of life
death
health professional
relatives
tell the truth
Authors
Rudina Rama
Agim Sallaku