The long-term effect of a population-based educational intervention focusing on end-of-life home care, life-prolongation treatment, and knowledge about palliative care

Misconceptions and a lack of knowledge are barriers to providing palliative care. This study examined the long-term effect of an educational intervention with the general public focusing on end-of-life home care, life-prolongation treatment, and knowledge about palliative care. We offered a one-hour educational lecture for community residents in 11 districts in Fukushima, Japan. Lecture attendees were asked to complete pre-and post-questionnaires and a sixmonth postal follow-up questionnaire. A total of 424 respondents completed and returned the follow-up questionnaire. Beliefs about the feasibility of home death did not significantly change. In addition, many of the other significant changes that occurred immediately after the intervention reverted to initial opinions six months later. This population-based educational intervention was not effective for the long term, except that it had a partial influence on certain misconceptions about palliative care. Therefore, other approaches are needed to achieve substantial long-term effects.