Project Happy Apples: A medical student-initiated community project for normalizing conversations about death in Singapore

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: A 2014 survey of the Singaporean population revealed just 50% had awareness of palliative care. In the last decade, Project Happy Apples (PHA), a medical-student-led project, had supported palliative-care patients, empowered future doctors, and prepared society for end-of-life care. We aim to assess the efficacy of PHA’s public exhibition in improving attitudes, knowledge, and perception of palliative care amongst the Singaporean public. Methods An anonymous, cross-sectional survey was conducted on participants in PHA’s 2022 exhibition via scanning a QR code. Results During the 2022 exhibition, there were 208 respondents. Statistically significant improvements in familiarity (pre-exhibition β = 2.89, post-exhibition β = 3.89, P < 0.001), understanding of issues surrounding palliative care (pre-exhibition β = 3.04, post-exhibition β = 3.91, P < 0.001), and comfort level when talking about death (pre-exhibition β = 3.48, post-exhibition β = 3.91, P < 0.001) were reported following the exhibition. Conclusion PHA’s public exhibition was effective in raising familiarity, comfort and understanding of palliative care among the Singaporean public.