TITLE: The knowledge and perception of the general public and young adults of Palliative Care - A systematic Review
AUTHORS: Yann-Nicolas Batzler

[DESCRIPTION]
Background: As a result of demographic change, chronic and oncological diseases gain importance in the context of public health. Palliative care plays a crucial role in maintaining the quality of life of those affected. International guidelines, however, demand access to palliative care not only for the elderly but also for younger people who face severe illnesses. It can be assumed that palliative care will become increasingly important for them. In order to develop public health strategies aiming at promoting palliative care, the knowledge and attitude towards palliative care of the general public and specific target groups need to be assessed. Up to this day, little is known about young adults’ knowledge and perceptions of palliative care. 

Objectives and design: This work aims at assessing the general public and young adults’ (age 18-24) knowledge and perception of palliative care. We therefore conducted a systematic review. 

Methods: Exclusion and inclusion criteria are developed using the PICOS progress. Literature is researched within Medline (via Pubmed), Google Scholar and Web of Science. A search string is developed and refined for all three databases. Grey literature is included. Duplicates are excluded using Mendeley. The literature is independently screened by two researchers. Narrative synthesis is used to answer the main research question. 

[BEFORE_START]
This is the protocol for the conduction of a systematic review that aims at assessing the general population's as well as young adults' knowledge and perception of palliative care. In order to promote palliative care, a thorough assessment of these primary endpoints is crucial. 

[GUIDELINES]
This work will be conducted following the PRSIMA statement. 

[STEPS]
SECTION: Preparation
1. General screening of literature
SECTION: Development of the search algorithm
7. Develop search string
SECTION: Identification of inclusion and exclusion criteria
5. Using PICOS process
SECTION: Preparation
1.1. Screening for suitable databases
SECTION: Preparation
1.2. Identify lack of knowledge
SECTION: Development of the search algorithm
7.1. Adapt search string for all databases
SECTION: Preparation
2. Development of main research question
SECTION: Development of the search algorithm
6. Screen Medline for MeSH-Terms
SECTION: Literature search
8. Enter search string in each database
SECTION: Literature search
9. Import all literature into citation software (in this case: Mendeley)
SECTION: Literature search
9.1. Remove all duplicates
SECTION: Screening of literature
10. Screen all literature of accessible language (English, German, Spanish)
SECTION: Screening of literature
10.1. Remove all literature that is not in the above mentioned languages
SECTION: Screening of literature
11. Screen all abstracts for inclusion and exclusion criteria
SECTION: Screening of literature
11.1. Eliminate all literature that does not fit the inclusion and exclusion criteria
SECTION: Screening of literature
12. Screen all remaining literature independently (reviewer 1 and 2)
SECTION: Preparation
4. Name two reviewers that will screen independently
SECTION: Narrative synthesis
13. In a table, mark study type, regional origin, main findings and problems
SECTION: Narrative synthesis
13.1. Summarize obtained information
SECTION: Narrative synthesis
13.2. General population: Knowledge and perception of palliative care
SECTION: Narrative synthesis
13.3. Young adults: Knowledge and perception of palliative care
SECTION: Preparation
3. Define target population's age group, esp. young adults