Health care providers’ perspectives on the need for palliative care in Upper Egypt: a descriptive exploratory study including children and adult patients

Abstract

Abstract Background Only four centers in Egypt provide Palliative Care (PC) for adult cancer patients and one provides care for pediatric cancer patients. While PC is not widely utilized in Egypt, this study aims to assess patients’ need for PC from the providers’ perspective. The primary objectives were to assess providers’ knowledge about PC, understand patients’ needs, and compare children’s and adults’ needs for PC. Methods A descriptive exploratory design was utilized. Patients were recruited from a cancer center in Qena Governorate, Egypt. All 108 nurses and physicians in the cancer center were interviewed to assess their perspectives about PC and patients’ need for it. Results Of the 108 care providers, more than 60% of the providers were not familiar with the concept of PC and did not participate in related activities, and more than 77% did not receive any training on the topic. All the providers reported there is no specific policy for end-of-life care. More than 60% of the providers responded that their patients do not need PC as the providers believe that PC provided only for end-stage patients. 50% of the providers see that PC has benefits such as pain relief and symptom management. No major differences were noted between pediatric and adult PC needs. Conclusion The results of this study provide foundational evidence of providers’ lack of experience with and understanding of palliative care. This deficit is creating a barrier to providing palliative care in Egypt.