Table 2 Knowledge on EOL situations according to age category. Statistics presented: median (IQR: interquartile range); n(%). Statistical tests performed: Kruskall-Wallis test; chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test
All | Age (years) | p-value | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
< 30 | 30–50 | 51–60 | > 60 | |||
n = 34 | n = 106 | n = 30 | n = 12 | |||
Overall knowledge | 7.1 (5.7,8.6) | 7.9 (5.7, 9.6) | 7.1 (5.7, 8.6) | 5.7 (4.3, 7.1) | 7.1 (5.4, 7.5) | 0.13 |
Extensive | 59 (32%) | 17 (50%) | 33 (31%) | 6 (20%) | 3 (25%) | |
Average | 82 (45%) | 9 (26%) | 53 (50%) | 14 (47%) | 6 (50%) | |
Limited | 41 (23%) | 8 (24%) | 20 (19%) | 10 (33%) | 3 (25%) | |
Identification of situations (/10) | 7.1 (5.7,8.6) | 8.6 (7.1,10.0) | 8.6 (8.6,10.0) | 5.7 (5.7,7.1) | 7.1 (5.4,7.5) | 0.012 |
Legal knowledge (/10) | 9.3 (8.6,10.0) | 10.0 (8.6,10.0) | 7.1 (5.7,8.6) | 10 (7.1, 10.0) | 10.0 (9.6,10.0) | 0.4 |
Specific knowledge | ||||||
Double-effect treatment | 83 (46%) | 22 (65%) | 48 (45%) | 9 (30%) | 4 (33%) | 0.034 |
Treatment limitation and discontinuation | 168 (92%) | 31 (91%) | 98 (92%) | 28 (93%) | 11 (92%) | 0.9 |
Sedation for distress | 92 (51%) | 16 (47%) | 58 (55%) | 14 (47%) | 4 (33%) | 0.5 |
Deep and continuous sedation maintained until death | 143 (79%) | 25 (74%) | 86 (81%) | 21 (70%) | 11 (92%) | 0.4 |
Assisted suicide | 131 (72%) | 27 (79%) | 74 (70%) | 19 (63%) | 11 (92%) | 0.2 |
Euthanasia | 83 (46%) | 21 (62%) | 48 (45%) | 10 (33%) | 4 (33%) | 0.11 |