Emergency Physicians' Knowledge and Attitudes on End-of-Life Care in Turkiye

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted among emergency physicians in Turkiye has highlighted a need for improved education and training in end-of-life care (EOLC). The study, published in the Istanbul Medical Journal, surveyed 200 emergency physicians and found that 85.5% had not received formal EOLC training, with 41% self-assessing their knowledge as inadequate. The survey also identified barriers to providing EOLC, including admission barriers and insufficient access to specialist teams.

Key Takeaways:

  • 85.5% of emergency physicians in Turkiye reported not having received formal EOLC training.
  • 41% of respondents self-assessed their knowledge as inadequate.
  • Residents exhibited a higher propensity to report inadequate knowledge compared to specialists and faculty members (68.5% vs. 25.9% vs. 5.6%).
  • 90% of participants highlighted the importance of privacy for EOLC patients, while 75% expressed support for family involvement in decision-making processes.
  • 70% advocated for designated 'discussion and farewell' rooms.
  • Key barriers identified included admission barriers, which constituted 20.3% of identified barriers, with 58% rating specialist team support as inaccessible or only partially accessible.

Statistics:

  • 200 emergency physicians participated in the survey, achieving a 48% response rate.
  • 415 emergency physicians were targeted for participation in the survey.
  • 85.5% of respondents reported not having received formal EOLC training.
  • 41% of respondents self-assessed their knowledge as inadequate.
  • 68.5% of residents, 25.9% of specialists, and 5.6% of faculty members reported inadequate knowledge.
  • 90% of participants highlighted the importance of privacy for EOLC patients.
  • 75% expressed support for family involvement in decision-making processes.
  • 70% advocated for designated 'discussion and farewell' rooms.
  • 20.3% of identified barriers were admission barriers.
  • 58% of respondents rated specialist team support as inaccessible or only partially accessible.

Sources:

  • Istanbul Medical Journal
  • Evaluation of Emergency Physicians' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Educational Needs Regarding End-of-Life Patient Management: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study
  • University of Health Sciences Turkiye