A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2025 at the Treichville and Bouaké university teaching hospitals in Côte d'Ivoire. The study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of medical and paramedical staff regarding palliative care. A total of 58 healthcare professionals participated in the study, with 33 men and 25 women, and a mean age of 33.9 years. The study used a structured online questionnaire to collect data, which was then analyzed using SPSS 22.
The study found that half of the participants (50.0%) rated their knowledge of palliative care as good. However, 55.2% of the participants had never received any training in palliative care. Only 37.9% of the participants defined palliative care as an approach applicable at any stage of a disease, while 39.7% restricted it to advanced stages and 10.3% to end-of-life care. This highlights a significant gap in the understanding of palliative care among healthcare professionals in Côte d'Ivoire.
Despite the lack of training, the majority of participants (86.2%) favored the early introduction of palliative care. However, only 43.1% of the participants discussed palliative care with their patients, and 82.8% found such discussions difficult. This suggests that healthcare professionals in Côte d'Ivoire face challenges in communicating with patients about palliative care. The study also found that 96.6% of the participants requested continuing training and the creation of a dedicated palliative care unit.
The study's findings are consistent with previous research in other African countries. For example, a study in the Democratic Republic of Congo found that nurses had limited knowledge of palliative care. Similarly, a study in Morocco found that healthcare professionals had a positive attitude towards palliative care but lacked knowledge and skills. These findings highlight the need for a coordinated effort to improve palliative care in Africa.
The study's authors suggest that strengthening curricula, continuing education, and hospital palliative care units are priorities in Côte d'Ivoire. They also emphasize the need for a multidisciplinary approach to palliative care, involving medical and paramedical staff, as well as other healthcare professionals. The study's findings have implications for healthcare policy and practice in Côte d'Ivoire and other African countries.
The World Health Organization defines palliative care as an approach that improves the quality of life of patients with life-threatening illnesses and their families. The organization emphasizes the importance of integrating palliative care into healthcare systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The study's findings highlight the need for Côte d'Ivoire to prioritize palliative care and make it more accessible to patients with life-threatening illnesses.
KEY POINT: The study highlights the need for improved training and dedicated facilities for palliative care in Côte d'Ivoire. KEY POINT: The majority of participants favored the early introduction of palliative care, but faced challenges in communicating with patients about it. KEY POINT: The study's findings have implications for healthcare policy and practice in Côte d'Ivoire and other African countries.
