Comparative Analysis On Perception And Knowledge Of Palliative Medicine Among Dental And Medical Professionals In Chennai City, India- A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The palliative care is said to provide care given to patients suffering from terminal illness or life limiting disease beyond meaningful cure, so that they can spend their remaining days without pain or other symptoms. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and perception of palliative medicine among the medical and dental professional. Materials and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among the medical and dental professionals. A close ended quantitative questionnaire comprised of 9 questions were given to the individuals to assess the perception and knowledge of palliative medicine. The subjects who did not give the consent and incomplete forms were not included in the study which was pre designed by the windows operating google system. Descriptive statistics was done to assess the frequency and percentage among the questionnaire recorded and chi-square test was done to assess the association between the medical and dental professionals. Results: Among the 200 dental and medical professionals, the difference among the dental and medical professionals, nearly seven out of nine questions had chosen correct option chosen by dental professional than the medical professional. While assessing the statistical difference, much difference was seen with p-value of <0.05, while assessing the oral disease found to be a common factor in palliative patients and alcohol-based mouth washes should be avoided. Conclusion: The knowledge and perception among the dental and medical professional on palliative medicine was sufficient and further initiative can be taken to conduct special training programs during the undergraduate curriculum.