Montreal, May 8, 2023 – A vast majority of Quebecers (79%) wrongly associate palliative care with only providing comfort care at the end of life, according to a IPSOS survey of 1,000 respondents over 30 years of age conducted in March 2023 for the Alliance des maisons de soins palliatifs du Québec (the Alliance).

On the contrary, when delivered in the early stage of disease, palliative care can provide patients with benefits that go way beyond alleviating pain. With this survey, the Alliance aimed to collect concrete data on Quebecers’ perception of palliative care.

“During National Hospice Palliative Care Week, it is very important for us to share the results of this survey, which clearly demonstrate the need to educate people on palliative care. It is worth mentioning that all Quebecers have a right to palliative care, recognized by the Act respecting end-of- life care,” said Diane Langlois, President of the Alliance.

“The Alliance and its members represent 329 beds dedicated to palliative care, or approximately 30% of palliative care capacity in Quebec. Through sharing skills and knowledge, hospices are a significant ally in improving access to quality palliative care in the province. The Alliance reaffirms its offer of full cooperation with the Government of Quebec and hopes to work with all palliative care stakeholders in the province to build a society that meets and exceeds the palliative needs of its people. We continue to believe that better access to palliative care begins with public education, early identification, and appropriate training for all stakeholders involved, including healthcare practitioners,” concluded Ms. Langlois.

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