Knowledge, attitudes and self-perceived competencies on palliative care among medical officers at National Cancer Institute, Sri Lanka.

Introduction: Though palliative care is an essential component in the continuum of cancer care, it is still at an evolving phase in Sri Lanka.

Objective: To identify knowledge, attitude, self-perceived competencies in practicing palliative care and factors associated among medical officers in National Cancer Institute, Sri Lanka. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among doctors in National Cancer Institute in 2020/21 using self-administered questionnaire to assess knowledge, attitudes and self-perceived competencies on palliative care. Doctors worked less than 3 months and directly not involved in patient care were excluded. Scoring systems were used to assess knowledge, attitudes and self-perceived competencies. A descriptive analysis of data was done using SPSS 21 using median scores, frequencies and chi- square test. Ethical clearance was taken from the Ethical Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo.

Results: Out of 120 doctors included in the study, 83 (69.3%) were females and 37 (30.7%) were males. Majority 101(84.2%) were Sinhalese. Sixty (60%) were 31-40 years. Eleven (9.2%) had training in service. Five (4.2%) had a percentage score for knowledge ≤50 while 57 (47.5%) had > 75. Only 3 (2.5%) had a percentage score for attitudes of 51-75 while 116 (96.7%) had > 75. For competency level 57 (47.5%) had percentage score ≤50 while 23 (19.2%) had > 75. Ethnicity, age, work experience, receiving undergraduate training were not significantly associated with knowledge, attitudes and practices (p > .05).

Conclusion: Though level of knowledge and attitudes were high, self -perceived competencies were low which highlights the need of training in palliative care. Eg: undergraduate curricular and in-service.