Limitations in health professionals’ knowledge of end-of-life law: a cross-sectional survey

Background Insufficient knowledge about end-of-life law can impede the provision of safe and high-quality care. Accurate legal across health professions is critical in palliative settings given reliance on multidisciplinary Most research has focused doctors, finding significant gaps. The limited evidence other also suggests deficits. Objective To determine compare levels a broad sample Australian professionals medical students, to identify predictors knowledge. Methods An online pre-training survey was completed by participants enrolled national training programme law. optional collected demographic data measured baseline attitudes towards Results Response rate 67% (1653/2456). final for analysis (n=1564, 95% respondents), included nurses range allied professionals. Doctors had slightly higher than did students professionals; all Demographic professional characteristics predicted levels, with experience practice, confidence applying recent continuing development being positively associated Conclusions This study provides new professions. While varied somewhat professions, gaps were observed groups. Education initiatives enhance should be tailored meet specific needs each profession.