Perceptions of Death and Attitudes Related to Death with Dignity of Health Professionals and Caregivers

Abstract

Purpose: This descriptive research was conducted to determine the death perceptions and attitudes of healthcare professionals and caregivers. Method: The research was conducted with 56 health professionals and 65 caregivers working in the palliative care unit. As a data collection tool; descriptive characteristics form, \"Attitudes Towards Death Scale\", \"Attitudes Evaluation Scale Towards Respectable Death Principles\" were used. Results: The average score of health professionals on the Attitudes Towards Death Scale is 4.3849±1.29288, and the average score of caregivers is 4.4856±0.77818. The average score of health professionals on the Attitude Scale towards Dignified Death Principles is 3.9330±1.0221, and the average score of caregivers is 3.4936±1.4554. Perceptions of health professionals' Attitudes Towards Death and Principles of Dignified Death; It was found that it was affected by having children, education, and the previous loss of a relative, and caregivers were affected by the frequency of thinking about death and their level of education. It was determined that there was a positive, moderate relationship between the Escape Acceptance dimension, which is one of the sub-dimensions of the Health Professionals' Attitudes Towards Death Scale, and the Attitude Towards Respectable Death Principles (p<0.05). It was determined that there was a positive, moderate relationship between the sub-dimensions of the Caregivers' Attitudes Towards Death Scale, Fear of Death and Avoidance of Death, Neutral Acceptance and Approach Acceptance, and the Attitude Towards Respectable Death Principles of the Escape Acceptance dimensions (p<0.05). Conclusion: Educational activities regarding death are recommended for healthcare professionals who provide care and treatment, as well as for relatives who care for patients.