A Study of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Educational Needs for Gerontological Nursing in Cancer Hospital Nurses

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and educational needs for gerontological nursing in cancer hospital nurses.Methods: Participants included 208 nurses who had been working in the general wards for more than 6 months. Data collection was conducted through self-reported questionnaires. The Knowledge Scale and Educational Needs for Gerontological Nursing Scale were used for data collection. Also, a Korean version of the Attitudes Toward Older Adults Scale developed by Lim was used. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA and Duncan test for multiple comparisons.Results: The average score of the nurses’ knowledge on nursing care for older adults was 21.09 out of 30 points, and their attitudes toward older adults scored 4.29 out of 7 points, which was within a neutral range. The average score of the needs for gerontological nursing education was 4.10 out of 5. In the knowledge level assessment, the drug intervention area showed the lowest score. In terms of the educational needs, geriatric clinical symptoms such as a sore and delirium, and the drug intervention, including dose and toxicity, showed the highest score.Conclusion: Based on the above results, providing education is necessary for cancer hospital nurses so their knowledge on and positive attitudes toward older adults can improve.