Attitudes, Beliefs and Anxiety towards death in the health professionals of the SOLCA Ambato Oncology Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the levels of Attitudes towards Death, Beliefs regarding the Terminal Patient, and Death Anxiety, and the relationship of these variables in 110 health professionals (treating doctors, resident doctors, nurses, and nursing assistants) from the SOLCA Ambato Oncology Hospital. Method: quantitative, with a non-experimental design and a descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional scope. The evaluations were carried out through the Death Attitudes Questionnaire, the Beliefs Questionnaire Regarding the Terminal Patient, and the Death Anxiety Scale. Results: The dimensions of Attitudes of transit and fear are high, while the dimensions of Attitudes of exit, distancing/acceptance, emotional impact and defensiveness are low. Beliefs about death reached a moderate intensity, related to pain and fear of loss of control, while underlining the importance of receiving psychological support. The Anxiety results were moderate, with no statistically significant differences by sex. Low positive correlations were observed between Beliefs and Attitudes (particularly the attitudinal dimension of Exit), Moderate positive correlations were also found between Anxiety and Attitudes (especially with the dimensions of: Fear, Distancing-acceptance, and Defensiveness). It is estimated that Attitudes predict the presence of Anxiety by 17.8%. Conclusions: Education about death and palliative care reduces anxiety levels and allows a more effective attitude towards the terminally ill and their family.