Multidimensional Palliative Care Needs and Perceived Barriers among Adult Patients with Chronic Illnesses: A Descriptive Comparative Study

Background: Adults with chronic illnesses often experience serious health-related suffering that extends beyond physical symptoms and requires multidimensional palliative care. Objective: This study assessed the palliative care needs and perceived barriers among adult patients with chronic illnesses in selected health facilities in Dagupan City. Methods: A descriptive-comparative, cross-sectional design was employed among 56 purposively selected adult patients diagnosed with chronic illnesses for at least six months. Data were collected using an expert-validated structured questionnaire that measured physical, psychological, social, spiritual, informational, and barrier-related needs. Frequency, percentage, weighted mean, independent-samples t-test, and one-way ANOVA were used at the 0.05 level of significance. Results: Respondents were mostly 60–74 years old, female, married or widowed, with elementary or high-school education, and commonly affected by long-term chronic conditions with comorbidities. High needs were observed across all domains: spiritual (M = 4.09), barriers (M = 4.07), social (M = 4.03), physical (M = 4.02), psychological (M = 3.99), and informational (M = 3.99). Financial constraints, limited palliative services, workforce gaps, and cultural reluctance to discuss end-of-life concerns were major barriers. Significant differences were found by age, illness duration, and comorbidity count. Conclusion: Palliative care should be stratified, holistic, culturally sensitive, patient-centered, equitable, and integrated early into clinical practice.