Effect of Palliative Educational Program on Nurses Knowledge and Skills among Advanced Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background: Comprehensive cancer care requires the integration of palliative care practices and principles across the trajectory of the cancer experience and may be the sole focus of care for those patients with advanced incurable disease. Aim of the study: This study aimed to determine the effect of palliative educational program on nurse's knowledge and skills among advanced cancer patients. Research design: A quasi-experimental was used in the study. Setting: This study was conducted at the inpatients oncology departments and out patients of palliative clinics at Nasser Institute, the hospital affiliated to the ministry of health. Sample: Convenience sample of 40 staff nurses caring patients in the end stage of cancer or have metastatic cancer were included in this study. Tools of data collection: Part I. Socio- demographic data. Part II. Assessment tool for nurses’ knowledge about palliative care for advanced cancer patients, nurses’ knowledge regarding pain management of palliative care for advanced cancer patients, nurses’ knowledge regarding relative's role of palliative care for advanced cancer patients and nurses’ nursing care for palliative care for advanced cancer patients Results: the main results revealed an increase knowledge satisfactory 67.5% post implemented palliative educational program. Conclusion: There was need for continuing education for upgrading nurse’ knowledge about palliative care. Recommendations: Enrichment of all nurses at any educational institute about knowledge and skills related to palliative care according to the standard guidelines will be helpful to achieve quality of life. Also are that due attention should be given towards PC by the national health policy and needs to be incorporated in the national curriculum of nurse education.