title: Self-Care in Palliative Care Nursing and Medical Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Survey.
abstract: Self-care is an important consideration for palliative care professionals. To date, few details have been recorded about the nature or uptake of self-care practices in the palliative care workforce. As part of a broader mixed methods study, this article reports findings from a national survey of nurses and doctors.
  
  
  
  The objective of this study was to examine perceptions, education, and practices relating to self-care among palliative care nursing and medical professionals.
  
  
  
  A cross-sectional survey using REDCap software was conducted between April and May 2015. Perceived importance of self-care, self-care education and planning, and self-care strategies most utilized were explored. Descriptive statistics were calculated and content analysis used to identify domains of self-care.
  
  
  
  Three hundred seventy-two palliative care nursing and medical professionals practicing in Australia.
  
  
  
  Most respondents regarded self-care as very important (86%). Some rarely practised self-care and less than half (39%) had received training in self-care. Physical self-care strategies were most commonly reported, followed closely by social self-care and inner self-care. Self-care plans had been used by a small proportion of respondents (6%) and over two-thirds (70%) would consider using self-care plans if training could be provided.
  
  
  
  Self-care is practised across multiple health related domains, with physical self-care strategies used most frequently. Australian palliative care nurses and doctors recognize the importance of self-care practice, but further education and training are needed to increase their understanding of, and consistency in, using effective self-care strategies. These findings carry implications for professional practice and future research.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Sydney , New South Wales, Australia .
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Sydney , New South Wales, Australia .
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wand
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Sydney , New South Wales, Australia .
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Fraser
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D064946:Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D012648:Self Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: doctors; nurses; palliative care; self-care; survey; workforce