Multidimensional Palliative Care Needs and Perceived Barriers among Adult Patients with Chronic Illnesses in Dagupan City, Philippines: A Descriptive Study

This descriptive study assessed multidimensional palliative care needs and perceived barriers among adult patients with chronic illnesses in Dagupan City, Philippines. Fifty-six adult respondents diagnosed with chronic conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory illness, diabetes, and kidney disease participated through purposive sampling. Data were gathered using a structured, expert-validated questionnaire that measured demographic and clinical profiles, physical care needs, psychological needs, social support needs, spiritual needs, informational needs, and perceived barriers. Frequency, percentage, weighted mean, independent-samples t-test, and one-way analysis of variance were used. Findings showed that respondents were mostly aged 60–74 years, female, married or widowed, and living with long-term illness and comorbidities. All palliative care domains were rated as needed, with informational needs recording the highest mean, followed by spiritual, barrier-related, social, physical, and psychological domains. Pain relief, breathlessness management, anxiety control, family support, financial assistance, religious guidance, explanation of diagnosis, treatment information, and decision-making guidance emerged as priority concerns. Major barriers included financial constraints, limited access to palliative services, shortage of trained personnel, inadequate information, and cultural reluctance to discuss end-of-life matters. Significant differences were found by age, illness duration, and comorbidity count. Results support integrated, culturally responsive palliative care planning in hospital and community care settings.