Emergency Nurses’ Competency in the Provision of Palliative Care and Related Factors

Abstract

Based on a record, 21.8% of patients presenting at the emergency room (ER) were end-of-life
patients, promoting a peaceful death at ERs is challenging. This study aimed to examine the level of ER
nurses’ competency in the provision of palliative care and to examine the relationships between ER nurses’
competency in the provision of palliative care and related factors. Data were collected from 169 registered
nurses working in ERs at 9 hospitals in Bangkok. Instruments used in this study included a demographic
data form, the Palliative Care Quiz for Nurse (PCQN) and the Emergency Nurses’ Competency in Provision
Palliative Care (ENCPPC). The PCQN and the ENCPPC were examined by 3 experts and were revised
based on their suggestions. The reliability was tested with 30 ER nurses. The PCQN and the ENCPPC
yielded Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.85, 0.95, respectively. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze
demographic data and level of competency. Pearson’s product moment correlation and Spearman’s rank
correlation were used to analyze the relationships between ER nurses’ competency in the provision of
palliative care and related factors.
The majority of ER nurses (69.2%) had a moderate level for overall competency in the provision
of palliative care whereas 18.3% of ER nurses had a low level of competency in communication. Palliative
care knowledge had a mild positive relationship with ER nurses’ competency in the provision of palliative care
(r= .174, p< .05).
Although ER nurses have a moderate level of competency in the provision of palliative care,
some palliative care knowledge particularly in spiritual care and communication are required. Strategies in
enhancing the patient’s peaceful death in ERs is still challenging for ER nurses.