Physician Perceptions About Parenteral Hydration in Latin America and Spain: A Survey of Physicians Affiliated With the Latin American Association for Palliative Care (ALCP) and the Spanish Society for Palliative Care (SECPAL)

The purpose of this study is to assess palliative care physicians' attitudes, beliefs and practice patterns related to parenteral hydration at the end of life in Latin America and Spain.

Objectives:

1. To assess palliative care physicians' attitudes, beliefs and practice patterns related to parenteral hydration at the end of life in Latin America and Spain.
2. To assess cross-national differences in practice patterns related to parenteral hydration at the end of life. (Latin America vs. Spain).
3. To determine the percentage of physicians who practice parenteral hydration at the end-of-life in the hospital setting and the home setting.
4. To examine the association between providers' parenteral hydration practice patterns and:

• 1. provider demographic characteristics;
• 2. specific characteristics of their practice settings; and
• 3. training and experience in end of life care;

5. To determine which factors most predict the practice of parenteral hydration at the end of life among palliative care physicians.