Knowledge and Public Perception of Palliative Care in Germany.

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Literature reviews reveal poor knowledge and awareness of palliative care in the public. Health literacy deficits impact access to palliative care. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> The aim of this manuscript is to explore the public perception of palliative care in Germany. <b><i>Design:</i></b> Triangulated qualitative research design: a snowball-spread online survey and a random pedestrian survey. <b><i>Setting/Subjects:</i></b> Citizens in Germany. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The pedestrian survey (<i>n</i> = 100) revealed 34% of the participants being not familiar with palliative care. The online survey (<i>n</i> = 994) 5.7% of participants reported to not know what palliative care was. The public's perception of palliative care is mainly medicine oriented, referring to inpatient care for the immediately dying; however, further significant misperceptions were scarce. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The public perception shows an indistinct picture of palliative care, and some misconceptions about the objectives and areas of responsibility of the subject, meanwhile, palliative care is known to a majority of people. Understanding partly incomplete pictures of patients and relatives may help to react appropriately in staff-patient interactions and improve public relations.