An assessment of palliative care beliefs and knowledge: the healthcare provider's perspective.
Research shows that healthcare providers' palliative care training and their misconceptions impact the delivery of care. As a result, the need for continuing education with adequate training is paramount to improve their knowledge and confidence in addressing the needs of patients and families facing serious illnesses. A pre-experimental static-group comparison design was used to determine if there was a significant difference in perceived competency and knowledge between healthcare providers who participated in a palliative care training programme and those who did not. A non-randomised sample of healthcare providers were administered a questionnaire to assess perceived competence and knowledge. Responses from 388 participants revealed a significant association between perceived competency and knowledge scores. The authors concluded that participation in a palliative care programme makes a significant difference in the healthcare provider's knowledge. However, further exploration is necessary to deduce the underlying reason for the negative association between perceived competency and knowledge.
Baptist Health of South Florida, Palliative Clinical Educator, FL.
Yvonne A
YA
Patten
Baptist Health of South Florida, Homestead Hospital Nurse Scientist, FL.
Maria M
MM
Ojeda
Baptist Health of South Florida, Doctors Hospital Nurse Scientist, FL.
Carolyn L
CL
Lindgren
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D010166:Palliative Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Palliative care education; Palliative care training; Perceived competency