Psychosocial predictors of palliative care decisions among oncology patients: a pilot study

Abstract

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the demographic, social, and religious factors influencing perceptions towards receiving only palliative care near the end of life among cancer patients in Pakistan, and to determine their preferred location for receiving end-of-life care and the reasons behind their choice. Results: Out of a total of 112 patients, 61% of patients preferred palliative care. Those who were well aware of their prognosis (OR=5.383, p=0.006), had a positive perception of palliative care (OR=4.165, p=0.001) and believed that it aligned with their religious beliefs (OR=2.964, p=0.004) indicated that they would prefer palliative care over curative treatment near the end of life. Fewer patients preferred to opt for palliative care with the increasing cost of stay per day at the hospital (OR=0.121, p=0.002) and increasing age (OR=0.939, p=0.001). More than two-thirds of the patients preferred receiving palliative care at their homes. Some of the major reasons for this included being able to receive care from friends or family (n= 27) and being able to let their family have a normal life (n=20).