A Population-Based Survey on Perceptions of Opioid Treatment and Palliative Care Units: OPTIM Study

Ayumi Igarashi, Mitsunori Miyashita, Tatsuya Morita, Nobuya Akizuki, Miki Akiyama, Yutaka Shirahige, Kenji Eguchi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study aimed to clarify the general public's perceptions of opioids and palliative care units (PCUs) and explore factors related to such perceptions. A cross-sectional, anonymous questionnaire was administered to 8000 people. Although a majority agreed with positive perceptions of opioids and PCUs, some also agreed with negative perceptions, such as opioids are addictive and shorten life (28% and 27%, respectively). Multiregression analyses revealed that respondents with a better knowledge of PCUs had higher positive perceptions than those without such knowledge (P <.001). The higher positive perceptions were associated with a higher sense of security regarding regional cancer care (P < .001). Providing the general public with adequate knowledge about palliative care may improve perceptions of palliative care and the sense of security.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)155-160
Number of pages6
JournalAmerican Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Volume31
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014 Mar

Keywords

  • end-of-life care
  • general public
  • opioid treatments
  • palliative care unit
  • perceptions
  • sense of security

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine(all)

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