Abstract
BackgroundNurses have a primary role in providing palliative and end-of-life (EOL) care. Their knowledge of EOL care, attitudes toward care of the dying, and palliative care self-efficacy are important in care delivery. Little is known regarding palliative care preparedness among Mongolian nurses. This study examines palliative care knowledge, attitude towards death and dying, and self-efficacy among Mongolian nurses, and examines predictors of self-efficacy.MethodsA cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. Participants were 141 nurses employed at the National Cancer Center in Mongolia. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire.ResultsThe median score for the knowledge of palliative care was 8.0/20. “Psychosocial and spiritual care” was the lowest score on the palliative care knowledge subscale. The mean score for attitude toward care of the dying was 69.1%, indicating positive attitudes. The mean score for the palliative care self-efficacy was 33.8/48. Nurses reported low self-efficacy toward communicating with dying patients and their families, and managing delirium. Palliative care knowledge and duration of experience as an oncology nurse significantly predicted self-efficacy toward palliative care, accounting for 14.0% of the variance.ConclusionsPalliative education for nurses should address the knowledge gaps in EOL care and focus in increasing palliative care self-efficacy. Considering palliative care knowledge and nursing experience as an oncology nurse were significant predictors of self-efficacy toward palliative care, more effort is needed to fill the knowledge gaps in EOL care among nurses, especially for less experienced nurses.
Highlights
Palliative care is patient- and family-centered care that improves the quality of life for patients with life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses and their families
This study examines palliative care knowledge, attitude towards death and dying, and self-efficacy among Mongolian nurses, and examines predictors of selfefficacy
Participants were 141 nurses employed at the National Cancer Center in Mongolia
Summary
Palliative care is patient- and family-centered care that improves the quality of life for patients with life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses and their families. Since 2000, palliative care has developed in Mongolia with an establishment of services, policies, and education with support from the International Palliative Care Initiative and Charity [4]. Palliative care standards and pain management guidelines were developed in 2005 and 2012, respectively. Health centers became responsible for primary palliative care at home. Mongolia has made real progress to integrate palliative care into its health system, services remain limited. Nurses have a primary role in providing palliative and end-of-life (EOL) care. Their knowledge of EOL care, attitudes toward care of the dying, and palliative care self-efficacy are important in care delivery. Little is known regarding palliative care preparedness among Mongolian nurses. This study examines palliative care knowledge, attitude towards death and dying, and self-efficacy among Mongolian nurses, and examines predictors of selfefficacy
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