Palliative care is currently crucial in nursing care, thus, continuing education in palliative
care for practicing nurses is necessary for improving care with a life-limiting illness such as
gynecologic cancer. Aim of the study was to investigate the effect of palliative care training
package on nurses' performance regarding gynecologic cancer. Sample: A convenient sample of
43 nurses. Research Design: A quasi-experimental (pre-test and post-test) design. Setting: This
study was conducted in the Gynecological Oncology Unit of the Maternity Hospital, the department
of Gynecology, Outpatient Clinics of the Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Center at Ain
Shams University. Tools of data collection: three tools were utilized including 1) a selfadministered
questionnaire that encompassed two parts demographic characteristics and assessment
of nurses’ knowledge regarding gynecologic cancer palliative care. 2) Nurses’ attitude towards
gynecologic cancer palliative care. 3) observational checklist for nurses’ practice. Results: More
than three-quarters of studied nurses had poor knowledge, the majority had a negative attitude and
unsatisfactory practice regarding gynecologic cancer palliative care before the training package.
However, after one month of the training package, nearly the majority of nurses had good
knowledge, a positive attitude, and. satisfactory practice. A statistically positive correlation between
total knowledge, attitude, and practice scores regarding palliative care for gynecological cancer
before and after training package (P ≤0.01). Conclusion: The training package had a favorable
effect on nurses' performance regarding gynecologic cancer palliative care. Recommendation:
Continuous in-service training on palliative care for nurses is essential to improve performance in
the care of women with gynecological cancer. |
