title: Supporting generalist nurses in the rural setting with the introduction of a clinical assessment process.
abstract: The aim of this research was to evaluate the implementation of an assessment process for general nurses involved in providing end-of-life care. A mixed-method, three-phased study was conducted on a medical ward at a regional hospital in a rural setting. Participating nurses completed a questionnaire about their awareness levels of the five validated scales included in the assessment of patients receiving palliative care. Auditing of the completed assessment forms was conducted at the interim and post data collection points and focus groups were conducted in the final phase. Analysis of the data revealed that nurses were able to integrate the use of this assessment process into the care of this group of patients. The author concludes, while nurses working in rural settings require general clinical knowledge of a wide range of patient groups, validated assessment scales can assist them in the provision of evidence-based palliative care.
authors.affiliation: Nursing Lecturer, Division of Health Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of South Australia, Mount Gambier Regional Campus.
authors.forename: Lyn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rabbetts
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009740:Nursing Staff; D013021:South Australia; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: General nurses; Palliative care; Patient assessment; Rural