Effects of the Discomfort Symptoms Management Training Program for End Stage Cancer Patients Receiving Palliative Care on Knowledge and Confidence of Novice Nurse in Songklanagarind Hospital
Keywords:
Training Program , Palliative Care , Discomfort Symptoms Management, Registered NurseAbstract
This quasi-experimental study aimed to compare the knowledge and confidence levels of registered nurses before and after participating in a training program on managing discomfort symptoms in end stage cancer patients. The program was developed by adapting the training program from the Karunruk Center, Srinagarind Hospital, and applying Bandura’s self-efficacy theory.
The experimental group consisted of 27 registered nurses from Songklanagarind Hospital with 1–3 years of work experience in palliative care wards for terminal cancer patients. The training program lasted four weeks and covered topics such as hospital policies, palliative care concepts, assessment of patients' daily living abilities using the Palliative Performance Scale (PPS), symptom burden assessment using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), and symptom management in end stage cancer patients. Training activities included death awareness discussions, video-based learning, lectures, hands-on practice with symptom assessment tools, and real-case patient studies. Data collection tools included 1) A demographic questionnaire 2) A knowledge test on palliative care, and 3) A confidence assessment questionnaire for evaluating and managing discomfort symptoms in terminal cancer patients.
The training program and assessment tools were validated by three experts. Content validity indices (IOC) for the knowledge test and confidence questionnaire were .92 and .93, respectively. Reliability values were .67 and .95, respectively.
The results showed that after the training, both the mean knowledge score on palliative care and the mean confidence score in symptom assessment and management significantly increased (p< .01) compared to pre-training scores. This training approach can be applied to train registered nurses with 1-3 years of clinical experience who provide care for patients with end stage cancer patients in different hospital settings.
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