Page 23 - Petelin, Ana. 2024. Ed. Zdravje delovno aktivnih in starejših odraslih | Health of the Working-Age and Older Adults. Zbornik prispevkov z recenzijo | Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press

Physiotherapists and occupational therapists in Croatia often remain un-
recognised as members of the palliative team. Their role in the palliative team
should be key for improving the quality of life of patients, as well as their fam-
ilies. Despite that, healthcare professionals, including physiotherapists and oc-
cupational therapists, may not have enough knowledge or additional training
in palliative care (León Perilla and Joaquim, 2022). The aim of this study was
to determine the extent of familiarity with palliative care among physiothera-
py and occupational therapy students and to assess whether a statistically sig-
nificant difference exists between their levels of knowledge.

Methods

Participants
The study was conducted from 1 to 30 September 2023. The respondents filled
in an online questionnaire designed specifically for this study and posted on 23
the Google Forms platform. In the introductory section of the questionnaire,
they were informed about the aim and purpose of the study. The study received
a positive opinion from the Ethics Committee (KL: 602-03/24-18/337; URBR:
251-379-10-24-02) on May 6, 2024 of the University of Applied Health Sciences
in Zagreb. Participation in the study was voluntary and the respondents could
withdraw at any time without providing an explanation. In accordance with evaluation of student knowledge of palliative care
the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which came into effect on 25
May 2018, and which governs the protection of personal data of citizens of the
European Union, we guarantee the anonymity of personal data and the confi-
dentiality of the responses provided.
A total of 274 respondents participated in the study, divided into 2 groups.
One group consisted of 138 undergraduate students of physiotherapy (first-,
second- and third-year students, Physiotherapy group – PT group), while the
other study group (Occupational therapy group – OT group) was formed of 136
undergraduate students of occupational therapy (first-, second- and third-year
students). All respondents were students at the University of Applied Health
Sciences in Zagreb.
The PT group consisted of 14 respondents who were first-year students
(10%), 38 (28%) were second-year students, and 86 (62%) were third-year stu-
dents. In the OT group, there were 58 respondents who were first-year students
(43%), 24 (17%) were second-year students, and 54 (40%) were third-year stu-
dents. Out of a total of 274 respondents, 72 (26%) were first-year students, 62
(23%) were second-year students, and the majority were third-year students
(140 or 51%). In the PT study group (N=138), there were 36 men (26%) and 102
women (74%). In the OT study group, out of the total number of respondents
(N=136), there were 10 men (7%) and 126 women (92%). Out of the total number
of respondents in both study groups (PT and OT), 46 men (17%) and 228 wom-
en (83%) participated in the study. The average age of all respondents (N=274)