The Correlation between Nurses’ Knowledge and Nurses’ Attitudes toward Palliative Care Provided to Patients in RSUD RAA Soewondo Hospital

Abstract

Palliative care is an essential aspect of care for advanced life-threatening illnesses. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the majority of adults require palliative care. It is estimated that palliative care is needed for 40–60% of all deaths. There were many terminal patients suffering from cancer and kidney failure in RSUD RAA Soewondo Pati Hospital. However, the nurses had no specific palliative care knowledge, and the attitude provided to terminal patients was not hospitable. This study examines the nurses’ knowledge and attitudes towards palliative care and examines whether there is a correlation between them. This research is quantitative with a cross-sectional study design. The population was 42 nurses from RSUD RAA Soewondo Hospital. It used total sampling, while the instrument was a questionnaire that consisted of 21 questions about palliative care knowledge and 30 questions about FATCOD-B. Univariate & bivariate statistical analyses were used to analyze the data. The results found that half respondents (21 nurses) had good knowledge with a good attitude, and 5 respondents had good knowledge with an adequate attitude. 7 respondents had adequate knowledge with a good attitude and 9 respondents had adequate knowledge with an adequate attitude. There was also a close correlation between nurses’ knowledge and nurses’ attitudes toward palliative care. Nurses’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes are crucial parts of providing palliative care for patients. By having them, the nurses can provide optimal palliative care for the patients.