Exploring nurses' attitudes to, and use of, an online palliative care resource.
OBJECTIVE
The internet provides access to information and evidence that can support palliative care practice. This study aims to evaluate the use and utility of a palliative care website with particular regard to its use and issues for nurses. STUDY DETAILS: A survey of online visitors and a postal survey of staff working in palliative care services were conducted; 134 visitors completed the survey and 371 staff in palliative services responded.


RESULTS
Users of the site found the content credible and over 95% would recommend the site to others. Over 90% of specialist palliative care nurses use online resources and half use the CareSearch website. Awareness of the resource was much lower for registered nurses than specialist nurses working in palliative care.


CONCLUSIONS
Understanding attitudes to, and use of, online palliative care resources by nurses working in palliative care services could help to develop these resources to more effectively meet their needs and circumstances.
Tieman
Jennifer
J
Department of Palliative and Supportive Services, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia. jennifer.tieman@flinders.edu.au
Rawlings
Deb
D
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D001315:Australia; D003197:Computer Literacy; D003200:Computer User Training; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009042:Motivation; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D013041:Specialties, Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires