Abstract
PurposesThe aim of this study was to explore nursing staff awareness about issues in hospice care in terms of barriers experienced by terminal cancer patients in or about to undergo that care.MethodsWe polled a random sample of 215 nurses from the nursing staff of a central Taiwan hospital using structured questionnaires that elicited information about background, awareness of issues in hospice care, and barriers to hospice care.Results (1) Hospice care awareness scores were higher among nursing staff who had experience caring for terminal patients, had relatives with terminal illnesses, or had taken courses related to hospice care. (2) Scores for identifying barriers to hospice care were higher among nursing staff who had taken courses in life-and-death studies or who stated an awareness of hospice or palliative care issues, than among those who did not. (3) Hospice care awareness and barrier scores were positively correlated (r=0.652, p ＜0.001).ConclusionsThe greater the awareness of hospice care issues, the greater the understanding of possible barriers encountered by terminal cancer patients. We suggest enhancing awareness of hospice care issues among nursing staff, and lowering potential barriers in order to improve the level of care.
| Translated title of the contribution | Exploring Nursing Staff Awareness of and Analyzing Barriers to Hospice Care for Terminal Cancer Patients |
|---|---|
| Original language | Chinese (Traditional) |
| Pages (from-to) | 15-22 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | 澄清醫護管理雜誌 |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - 2013 |
