End‑of‑life care knowledge and attitude in managing dying patients among healthcare workers in the emergency department

Muhamad Faiz Mohd Fauzi; Shamsuriani Md Jamal; Nik Azlan Nik Muhamad; Muhammad Munawar Mohamed Hatta; Amsyar Daud

doi:10.4103/tjem.tjem_155_25

Muhamad Faiz Mohd Fauzi¹, Shamsuriani Md Jamal², Nik Azlan Nik Muhamad², Muhammad Munawar Mohamed Hatta², Amsyar Daud³

¹Department of Emergency and Trauma, Penang General Hospital, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
²Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
³Tampin Health District Office, Tampin, Malaysia

Keywords: Emergency department, end‑of‑life care, palliative care

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: End of life care (EOLC) in the emergency department (ED) is a growing global necessity. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge and attitudes toward EOLC among ED healthcare workers.

METHODS: A prospective and cross sectional study was conducted involving 155 healthcare workers at a tertiary ED. The Palliative Care Knowledge Tool (PCKT) and the Frommelt Attitude toward Care of the Dying (FATCOD) Scale were adapted, translated into Malay, and validated for use. Participants completed validated, self administered questionnaires assessing knowledge using FATCOD the PCKT and attitudes toward EOLC using the FATCOD Scale. The primary outcomes were the healthcare workers’ knowledge and attitudes, with secondary analysis exploring associated factors.

RESULTS: The overall level of knowledge on EOLC among healthcare workers was poor with a mean score of 8.54 (±2.97) out of 17. Despite this, attitudes toward EOLC were positive with a mean score of 92.61 (±8.80) out of 120. A weak positive correlation was found between knowledge and attitudes (r = 0.186, n = 155, P = 0.020). The factors such as education level, work experience, and profession were significantly associated with variations in knowledge and attitudes.

CONCLUSION: This study revealed that despite poor knowledge of EOLC among healthcare workers in the ED, their attitudes toward managing dying patients were positive. The weak correlation between knowledge and attitudes suggests a modest link between these domains.

How to cite this article: Fauzi MF, Jamal SM, Muhamad NA, Hatta MM, Daud A. End‑of‑life care knowledge and attitude in managing dying patients among healthcare workers in the emergency department. Turk J Emerg Med 2026;26:19-27.