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Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine : Peer-reviewed, Official Publication of Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine logoLink to Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine : Peer-reviewed, Official Publication of Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine
. 2024 Mar 7;28(Suppl 1):S432–S435. doi: 10.5005/jaypee-journals-10071-24667.163

A Pilot Study to Assess the Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, Perceived Impediments, and Support for Palliative Care and End-of-life Care among Critical Care Nurses in a Tertiary Care Institution

Debdatta Das 1, Leelavati Thakur 2, Shantanu Kumar Das 3, Bidyalakshmi Maji 4
PMCID: PMC11886064

Abstract

Introduction

One of the most important components for the best delivery of palliative care (PC) and end-of-life care (EOLC) is the role played by nurses in critical care units. A good understanding of palliative care (PC) and end-of-life care (EOLC) is essential for nurses in order to deliver high-quality care to patients who are terminally ill or have chronic illnesses.

Objective

To understand the deficiencies and shortfalls that exist among critical care nurses concerning various aspects of palliative and end-of-life care. The study's secondary objective was to determine the association between the selected parameters and people's knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours about palliative care and end-of-life care (EOLC).

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional study involving 102 critical care nurses who had worked in intensive care units for at least a year was carried out. Utilizing total 5 validated tools such as self-administered surveys, knowledge evaluations, and attitude assessments, demographic data was gathered. The study was conducted using SPSS version 24, and the frequency, percentages, and averages of the variables were analyzed using ANOVA and t-tests. A significant threshold of p < 0.05 was used.

Results

The study found a significant relationship (p<0.001) between previous training, department, gender, qualification, experience, age, and experience among nurses. Female nurses scored higher in Tools 3, 4, and 5, but no discernible difference was found in terms of experience and age. Prior training significantly (p<0.001) impacted scores, with B.Sc. courses receiving the highest mean scores. Post-basic B.Sc. and GNM received the highest scores, while GNM scored higher on experience. However, no significant difference was found in terms of age or experience (p = n.s.). The nurses’ departments also showed significant variation (p<0.05), with CTVS ITU receiving the highest scores for Tools 3, and HDU and NICU receiving the lowest scores.

Discussions

The study found a significant correlation between gender, qualification, and prior training in nurses, with female nurses scoring higher on understanding end-of-life care (EOLC) and palliative care. Additional training, such as workshops or in-service training, is necessary to improve knowledge and attitudes. Critical care nurses have better understanding of palliative and EOLC, but issues impeding their delivery need to be resolved through administrative and clinical policies. Retraining, re-evaluation, and increased involvement of nurses in optimal treatment planning are the goals of the study's second phase, which attempts to remove many of the barriers to successful palliative and EOLC.

Keywords: Attitude, barriers, critical care nurses, end-of-life care, knowledge, palliative care, practices, ICU, HDU.

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