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Knowledge and perceptions of doctors in a tertiary level hospital in KwaZulu-Natal towards palliative care
Background: South Africa (RSA) was a signatory to the 2014 World Health Assembly resolution that highlighted the importance of ongoing palliative care (PC) education amongst disciplines that manage patients with life-limiting illnesses. Thereafter, policies, such as the National Policy Framework and...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English English |
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Department of Public Health and Family Medicine
2026
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| _version_ | 1869483644860497920 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Vahed, Junaid Mohamed |
| author2 | Krause, Rene |
| author_browse | Krause, Rene Vahed, Junaid Mohamed |
| author_facet | Krause, Rene Vahed, Junaid Mohamed |
| author_sort | Vahed, Junaid Mohamed |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | Background: South Africa (RSA) was a signatory to the 2014 World Health Assembly resolution that highlighted the importance of ongoing palliative care (PC) education amongst disciplines that manage patients with life-limiting illnesses. Thereafter, policies, such as the National Policy Framework and Strategy on Palliative Care, were established that advocated for the integration of PC. PC education has also been incorporated into undergraduate curricula and the training of oncology registrars. However, except for integration of PC at a few centres in RSA, a large deficit of hospital-based PC still exists. Limited previous work has been done that investigates the knowledge and perceptions that doctors at tertiary centres in RSA possess towards PC. Objective: To assess the knowledge that doctors at a tertiary level hospital have regarding PC, and to determine the perceptions of these doctors towards PC. Methods: A prospective, observational, mixed-methods study consisting of a quantitative knowledge survey (n=65, response rate 66.32%) and qualitative semi-structured interviews (n=12) was undertaken. The survey data was analysed using statistical methods with the assistance of a biostatistician whilst, for the semi-structured interviews, thematic analysis was used. Results: Participants displayed an awareness of the concept of PC and its importance. There was good awareness of the role of the inclusion of patient and family preferences in decision-making. However, several knowledge deficits regarding the timing and scope of PC still prevailed. PC was largely seen as synonymous with end-of-life care, and the roles of PC beyond the physical domain were poorly understood. Some aspects regarding futile care were poorly understood. Additionally, misconceptions regarding the use of morphine were present. The majority of the knowledge deficits and incorrect perceptions prevailed regardless of level of experience or cadre. Participants admitted to knowledge gaps and to the lack of implementation of policy that underpins the need for PC. Creation of a PC service would be well received and suggestions were given on ways to integrate PC within the hospital. Conclusion: 6 In KwaZulu-Natal, more education is required to improve knowledge surrounding matters related to PC and a formal PC service is much needed. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/43329 |
| institution | University of Cape Town (South Africa) |
| language | English eng |
| last_indexed | 2026-07-01T04:02:17.044Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | Department of Public Health and Family Medicine |
| publisherStr | Department of Public Health and Family Medicine |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| spelling | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/43329 Knowledge and perceptions of doctors in a tertiary level hospital in KwaZulu-Natal towards palliative care Vahed, Junaid Mohamed Krause, Rene Walker, Louise Palliative Care Background: South Africa (RSA) was a signatory to the 2014 World Health Assembly resolution that highlighted the importance of ongoing palliative care (PC) education amongst disciplines that manage patients with life-limiting illnesses. Thereafter, policies, such as the National Policy Framework and Strategy on Palliative Care, were established that advocated for the integration of PC. PC education has also been incorporated into undergraduate curricula and the training of oncology registrars. However, except for integration of PC at a few centres in RSA, a large deficit of hospital-based PC still exists. Limited previous work has been done that investigates the knowledge and perceptions that doctors at tertiary centres in RSA possess towards PC. Objective: To assess the knowledge that doctors at a tertiary level hospital have regarding PC, and to determine the perceptions of these doctors towards PC. Methods: A prospective, observational, mixed-methods study consisting of a quantitative knowledge survey (n=65, response rate 66.32%) and qualitative semi-structured interviews (n=12) was undertaken. The survey data was analysed using statistical methods with the assistance of a biostatistician whilst, for the semi-structured interviews, thematic analysis was used. Results: Participants displayed an awareness of the concept of PC and its importance. There was good awareness of the role of the inclusion of patient and family preferences in decision-making. However, several knowledge deficits regarding the timing and scope of PC still prevailed. PC was largely seen as synonymous with end-of-life care, and the roles of PC beyond the physical domain were poorly understood. Some aspects regarding futile care were poorly understood. Additionally, misconceptions regarding the use of morphine were present. The majority of the knowledge deficits and incorrect perceptions prevailed regardless of level of experience or cadre. Participants admitted to knowledge gaps and to the lack of implementation of policy that underpins the need for PC. Creation of a PC service would be well received and suggestions were given on ways to integrate PC within the hospital. Conclusion: 6 In KwaZulu-Natal, more education is required to improve knowledge surrounding matters related to PC and a formal PC service is much needed. 2026-06-17T14:00:53Z 2026-06-17T14:00:53Z 2026 2026-06-17T13:46:57Z Thesis / Dissertation Masters MPhil http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43329 en eng application/pdf Department of Public Health and Family Medicine Faculty of Health Sciences University of Cape Town |
| spellingShingle | Palliative Care Vahed, Junaid Mohamed Knowledge and perceptions of doctors in a tertiary level hospital in KwaZulu-Natal towards palliative care |
| thesis_degree_str | Master's |
| title | Knowledge and perceptions of doctors in a tertiary level hospital in KwaZulu-Natal towards palliative care |
| title_full | Knowledge and perceptions of doctors in a tertiary level hospital in KwaZulu-Natal towards palliative care |
| title_fullStr | Knowledge and perceptions of doctors in a tertiary level hospital in KwaZulu-Natal towards palliative care |
| title_full_unstemmed | Knowledge and perceptions of doctors in a tertiary level hospital in KwaZulu-Natal towards palliative care |
| title_short | Knowledge and perceptions of doctors in a tertiary level hospital in KwaZulu-Natal towards palliative care |
| title_sort | knowledge and perceptions of doctors in a tertiary level hospital in kwazulu natal towards palliative care |
| topic | Palliative Care |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43329 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT vahedjunaidmohamed knowledgeandperceptionsofdoctorsinatertiarylevelhospitalinkwazulunataltowardspalliativecare |