Chapter 1 Introduction

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This report presents a summary of the findings of the 2006 Community Attitudes towards Palliative Care Issues Project conducted by Campbell Research & Consulting (CR&C) for the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (the Department).

1.1 Palliative Care

Palliative care is the specialised care of people who are dying, regardless of age or cause of death. The focus of palliative care is for the dying person, and their families, to have a choice in the setting, manner and type of care they receive. A fundamental element of palliative care is respect for the dignity of the dying person and the sensitivity of family members reflecting the cultural and spiritual needs of the dying person and their family.Top of page

1.2 The Community Attitudes Towards Palliative Care Project

In 2002 the Department commissioned a research program to provide a benchmark measure of community and professional awareness of palliative care in Australia.

In 2005, Campbell Research & Consulting was commissioned by the Department to conduct the Community Attitudes to Palliative Care Issues Research Project. The project expands on the 2002 research.

The primary aim of this research is to provide an increased understanding of community awareness and understanding of palliative care by both those that have and those that have not experienced palliative care services. Further, a key component of the research is to seek information from health professionals about their perceptions of community attitudes towards the issues and barriers to palliative care. The project will provide information to the palliative care sector to support the development of strategies to ensure the Australian community understands, and knows how to, access quality palliative care services.
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