Child Health Nurs Res.  2016 Oct;22(4):257-264. 10.4094/chnr.2016.22.4.257.

Relationship Among Nurses' Knowledge, Attitude Towards Palliative Care and Perception of Death in Neonatal Intensive Care Units

• Wi DH
• Kang SJ

• KMID: 2444895
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4094/chnr.2016.22.4.257

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among knowledge and attitude toward palliative care and perception of death for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurses.
METHODS
A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 110 nurses who work in NICUs in South Korea. The participants filled out a questionnaire regarding their knowledge, attitude towards palliative care and perception of death. The attitude scale was divided into 3 subscales: comfort level, nurses' role and nurses' involvement with family.
RESULTS
Comfort level regarding attitude towards palliative care was positively correlated with knowledge (r=.220, p=.016) and the perception of death (r=.194, p=.042). Nurses' role showed a positive correlation with perception of death (r=.395, p=.001).
CONCLUSION
NICU nurses' knowledge of palliative care was below standard across the board, implying that there is a definite need for palliative care education for nurses. The education program for palliative care should include a section that focuses on fostering a positive perception of death as well as defining and delineating the role of nurses.

Keyword

Palliative care; Nurses; Knowledge; Attitude; Death

MeSH Terms

Education
Foster Home Care
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Intensive Care Units, Neonatal*
Intensive Care, Neonatal*
Korea
Palliative Care*