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Misconceptions and Stigma Persist Around Palliative Care in Singapore, New Study Finds
Despite high awareness, many Singaporeans still misunderstand the scope and benefits of palliative care.
A recent study commissioned by the Lien Foundation and conducted by Kantar has revealed that while awareness of palliative care is high among Singaporeans, significant misconceptions persist.
The study, which surveyed over 1,000 Singaporeans, tested the general public’s actual understanding of palliative care for the first time.
Key Findings
- Awareness Levels: 70 percent of Singaporeans have heard about palliative care, but only 31 percent claim to know what it entails. Another 39 percent admit to knowing little about it.
- Knowledge Assessment: Of those who had heard about palliative care, 48 percent scored in the ‘high knowledge’ category on a 15-question quiz, while 41 percent demonstrated ‘average knowledge.’
- Common Misconceptions: The top three misconceptions include:
- Palliative care is exclusively for people in the last six months of their lives.
- It is only for the dying.
- Choosing palliative care means giving up on curative treatment.
The Importance of Early Palliative Care
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends early identification of symptoms and integrating palliative care early in a patient’s treatment, regardless of prognosis. However, the study found that many Singaporeans associate palliative care only with end-of-life care.
Patients and caregivers may hesitate to seek palliative care because of stigma and the mistaken fear it is akin to giving up on treatment and hope.
Mr. Lee Poh Wah, Chief Executive Officer of the Lien Foundation, emphasized the broader scope of palliative care
Current Usage and Accessibility
- Late Acceptance: Over 90 percent of respondents are likely to accept palliative care for their loved ones or themselves, but only at the late stage of a serious illness. Main reasons include managing pain and distressing symptoms, and emotional and spiritual support.
- Early Stage Acceptance: Only about 70 percent are likely to accept palliative care at the early stage of a serious illness. Those unlikely to accept cited a preference for curative treatment, perceived high costs, and lack of perceived need.
Efforts to Shift Perceptions
In Singapore, palliative care is often experienced very late in an illness journey, with non-cancer patients accessing support much later than cancer patients. The median duration of palliative care from referral to death is only 22 days.
If we limit our understanding of palliative care to just end-of-life care, we risk missing critical opportunities to address suffering that occurs earlier.
Assoc Prof Alethea Yee, Director of Education at the Lien Centre for Palliative Care, stressed the need for early intervention
Positive Developments
There is a growing focus on integrating palliative care earlier in the disease trajectory. Programs like Air Master, launched by the Lien Foundation in partnership with Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), aim to help people with chronic conditions manage their symptoms and avoid unnecessary hospitalisations.
Palliative care needs a reshaping of its image. Extending palliative care to patients who may have years before their final demise allows us to maximise the value of a multidisciplinary team.”
Dr. Neo Han Yee, Head of Palliative Medicine at TTSH
Moving Forward
The National Strategy for Palliative Care, launched in July 2023, aims to expand palliative care services and make them more affordable. The Lien Foundation is also working with medical organisations to integrate palliative care into various medical specialties, ensuring that all healthcare professionals are trained in its basics.
Picture courtesy of The Lien Foundation.
- L-R
- Yang Huiwen, Associate Programme Director, Lien Foundation
- Mr Lee Poh Wah, CEO, Lien Foundation
- Dr Shirlynn Ho, Head & Senior Consultant in the Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore
- A/Prof Alethea Yee, Director of Education, Lien Centre for Palliative Care, and Senior Consultant in the Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore
- Dr Neo Han Yee, Head of Department, Senior Consultant, Palliative Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital
- Dr Ng Wai Chong, Founder and CEO, NWC Longevity Practice
