The current state of knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and training needs regarding palliative care among ICU nurses in China: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background: Intensive care unit (ICU) nurses exhibit gaps in their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding palliative care. In China, there is a lack of standardized training programs for palliative care among ICU nurses, and corresponding research on the needs and impact of such training is also limited.

Objective: Through the investigation and analysis of ICU nurses' knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and training needs regarding palliative care, this study explored the specific knowledge gaps and training needs of ICU nurses in palliative care.

Methods: A convenience sampling method was employed to survey ICU nurses at 23 tertiary (tier-A) hospitals in Anhui Province, adhering to the specified criteria, between December 2023 and April 2024. The study utilized a general demographic survey and a comprehensive questionnaire to assess ICU nurses' knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and training requirements in palliative care.

Results: Among the 693 ICU nurses surveyed, the scores for knowledge (73.67), attitude (77.1), behavior (75.84), and training needs (78.16) regarding palliative care were all below the middle level. Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that gender, professional rank, prior attendance at death education or palliative care training, engagement with literature on death, experience caring for patients in advanced stages, and the number of terminally ill patients cared for in the past year significantly influence nurses' knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and training needs in palliative care (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Training and education in palliative care should be enhanced for male and lower-level ICU nurses to address the specific knowledge gaps in this area. Chinese nursing managers should implement targeted and practical palliative care training programs to meet the specific training needs of ICU nurses.