Knowledge, Attitude and Self-Efficacy of Internship Nursing Students Regarding Palliative Care of Elderly Patients
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: The field of palliative care is growing as the world population ages and burden of chronic diseases increases. Thus, one of the important factors influencing a successful delivery of palliative healthcare is the health care professionals’ knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy. Nurses are the most valuable palliative care team members who address the physical, functional, social, and spiritual dimensions of care.
Aim of the study was to assess knowledge, attitude and self-efficacy of internship nursing students regarding palliative care of elderly patients.
Subjects & Methods: Research design: Descriptive design was utilized to carry out this study. Setting: This study was conducted at Zagazig University Hospitals, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. Subjects: Simple random sample of 100 internship nursing students participated in the study.
Data collection tool: Four tools were used for data collection; (1) Self - Administered questionnaire Sheet which is composed of two parts: Demographic characteristics and student awareness regarding palliative care, (2) Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing, (3) Frommelt Attitude Toward the Care of the Dying Scale form B and (4) Palliative Care Self Efficacy Scale.
Results revealed that 67.00% of the studied internship nursing students had unsatisfactory knowledge about palliative care. Whereas, 61.00% of the studied internship nursing students had negative attitude toward the care of the dying and 49.00% of the studied internship nursing students had low self-efficacy in providing palliative care to elderly patients.
Conclusion: This study concluded that there were highly significant statistical positive correlation between the studied internship nursing students' total knowledge about palliative care, attitude toward the care of the dying and their self-efficacy.
Recommendations: Tailored Educational interventions regarding palliative care of elderly patients for internship nursing students to improve their knowledge, attitude and self-efficacy.