Effect of Palliative Care Training Program on Pediatric Nurses’ Perception among Children with Terminal Illness

Abstract

Introduction: Palliative care has grown increasingly significant in nursing management as the number of children requiring support in their final stages of life has increased. A deficient education and a negative attitude among nurses are some of the most prevalent barriers to excellent palliative care. AIM: To measure the effect of palliative care training programs on pediatric nurses’ perception among children with a terminal illness. Methods: A quasi-experimental research design with study, the study was conducted at dialysis intensive care units and pediatric intensive care units at children hospitals affiliated with Ain Shams University. A study was conducted on 100 nurses who directly provided care to terminally ill children. Researchers used tools that included characteristics, knowledge, and attitude level of nurses. Results: In terms of total knowledge, more than two-thirds of nurses (67%) have a low level of knowledge before program intervention. On other hand and over one-third (39%) have a good level of knowledge after program intervention. According to the findings, there was a highly statistically significant change (P 0.01**) in nurses' attitudes after intervention in all aspects measured. Conclusion: This study found that pediatric nurses' understanding, and practice of palliative care improved significantly after completing a training program. There was also a strong association between pediatric nurses' knowledge and attitudes toward palliative care. Recommendation: Periodical revision of training program about terminally ill children, and guide nurses for their perception concerning the care of terminally ill children.