Knowledge and Attitudes of Palliative Care Among Community Health Nurses in China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

aimsTo investigate knowledge and attitudes of palliative care among community health nurses and analyse factors influencing their knowledge and attitudes.

designA cross-sectional, descriptive study.

methodsA total of 605 Chinese community health nurses were recruited using a convenience sampling method from August to December, 2023. The demographic information, Knowledge of Palliative Care Questionnaire and Attitudes of Palliative Care Questionnaire were used to collect data. Statistical analyses, including t-tests, univariate analyses and multivariate linear regression, were conducted to assess the status of knowledge and attitudes toward palliative care and to identify influencing factors.

resultsThe mean score of knowledge of palliative care was 7.96 ± 3.23, with the subscale of psychological and spiritual care aspects showing the lowest score. The mean score for attitudes toward palliative care was 87.27 ± 11.38 and the subscale of dealing with patients in the advanced stages of disease showed the lowest score. Experience of caring for dying family members, training in palliative care, institutions providing palliative care, experience of providing palliative care for dying patients, willingness to engage in palliative care were identified to influence nurses' knowledge and attitudes (p < 0.05). In addition, age, years of service, professional titles and experience of caring for dying patients only influenced their attitudes (p < 0.05). Institutions providing palliative care and willingness to engage in palliative care significantly predicted nurses' knowledge of palliative care, explaining 8.5% of the variance. Similarly, age and willingness to engage in palliative care significantly predicted nurses' attitudes toward palliative care, explaining 15.7% of the variance.

conclusionCommunity health nurses had inadequate knowledge of palliative care but positive attitudes toward palliative care. Effective continuing education programmes on palliative care should be developed for community health nurses to improve their knowledge and attitudes toward palliative care. IMPACT: Community health nurses had inadequate knowledge of palliative care but positive attitudes toward palliative care. Effective continuing education programmes on palliative care should be developed for community health nurses to improve their knowledge and attitudes toward palliative care. REPORTING

methodStrengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.