How does the general public perceive hospice and palliative care? —an empirical study from China

作者：Zhiyu Tang, Yi Fan, Zhuojun Ye, Yuhan Lu, Xiaoyu Zhang, Youyang Tang, Limei Jing · 发表于：BMC Palliative Care · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1186/s12904-025-01891-3 · 被引用次数：3 · 研究领域：Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues、Organ Donation and Transplantation、Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life

CONTEXT: Global aging and rising chronic disease burden have made hospice and palliative care (HPC) a healthcare priority. China has initiated three rounds of HPC pilot programs covering two-thirds of its cities, yet public utilization remains low. Understanding public knowledge, attitude, and preference (KAP) toward HPC is essential to overcoming adoption barriers and fostering acceptance. OBJECTIVES: To empirically evaluate public KAP for HPC, pinpoint influencing factors, and offer targeted strategies to address challenges. METHODS: This cross-sectional study assessed public KAP using the culturally adapted Public Knowledge, Attitude, and Preference of HPC Scale (P-KAPHPCs). Regression analysis was applied to identify factors associated with KAP. A structural equation model was constructed to test their interrelationship. RESULTS: Among all the respondents, the mean score for HPC knowledge was 7.47 ± 2.14, with 41.10% of the respondents could explain HPC. Educational level and household income were associated factors of knowledge (p < 0.05). The overall attitude mean score rate was 84.18%. Public attitude toward end-of-life (EOL) arrangements for terminally ill patients was significantly influenced by age, attitude toward one's own EOL care were affected by educational level (p < 0.05). The majority (67.80%) declined life-sustaining treatment (LST), with preference linked to gender, occupation, experience of witnessing a patient's EOL process, primary family decision-maker...