Oncology Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitude towards Palliative Care

Abstract

Introduction:  Palliative care (PC) is considered an integral component of comprehensive cancer care. Insufficient knowledge among nurses was one of the main obstacles to providing high-quality palliative care services. This study assessed oncology nurses' knowledge and attitude toward palliative care.

Method:   A cross-sectional study was conducted among 125 oncology nurses working at B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital (BPKMCH). A simple random sampling technique was used. The self-administered questionnaire: Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing (PCQN) and “From melt Attitudes toward Care of the Dying Scale (FATCOD) were used to assess knowledge and attitude. The data were analyzed and interpreted using SPSS version 22. The p-value was set at <0.05. 

Results: The majority (59.2) of nurses had a poor level of knowledge with a mean PCQN score for was (9.208 ±2.052) out of 20.   The lowest score in the psychological/spiritual subcategory. The majority (89.6%) of nurses had good attitudes, with a mean attitude score was (109.816 ± 9.788). There was a significant association found between the level of knowledge with educational status (P = 0.041), current working area (P = 0.017), and working experience (P = 0.008). Likewise, a significant association was also found between the level of attitude and current working area (P = 0.018).  

Conclusion: The majority of the nurses working at BPKMCH had poor levels of knowledge, whereas, most nurses had good attitudes toward PC. A significant association was found between the level of knowledge with educational status, current working area, and work experience.