Korean J Med Educ.  2016 Mar;28(1):79-85. 10.3946/kjme.2016.12.

Nurses versus physicians' knowledge, attitude, and performance on care for the family members of dying patients

• Abdollahimohammad A
• Firouzkouhi M
• Amrollahimishvan F
• Alimohammadi N

• KMID: 2374229
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3946/kjme.2016.12

Abstract

PURPOSE
Nurses and physicians must be competent enough to provide care for the clients. As a lack of knowledge and a poor attitude result in a low performance of delivering care, this study aimed to explore the nurses versus physicians' knowledge, attitude, and performance on care for the family members of dying patients (FMDPs).
METHODS
This descriptive study was conducted at the educational hospitals in Isfahan, Iran. The samples were 110 nurses and 110 physicians. The data were collected through a convenience sampling method and using a valid and reliable questionnaire.
RESULTS
The average knowledge, attitude, and performance on care for the FMDPs were not significantly different between nurses and physicians (p>0.05). The majority of nurses (55.4%) and physician (63.6%) were at a moderate and a fair level of knowledge of care for the FMDPs. Most of the nurses (81%) and physicians (87.3%) had a positive attitude towards caring the FMDPs. Most of the nurses (70%) and physicians (86.3%) had a moderate and fair performance.
CONCLUSION
Having enough knowledge and skills, and a positive attitude are necessary for caring the FMDPs. Nurses' and physicians' competencies must be improved through continuing educational programs and holding international and national conferences with a focus on the palliative care.

Keyword

Family; Nurses; Palliative care; Terminally ill patients

MeSH Terms

Adult
*Attitude of Health Personnel
*Attitude to Death
Clinical Competence
Empathy
Family
Female
Humans
Iran
Male
*Nurses
*Palliative Care
Personnel, Hospital
*Physicians
*Professional-Family Relations
Surveys and Questionnaires
*Terminal Care