Effectiveness of End-of-Life Training Program for Nurses in a Long-Term Palliative Care Setting: A Pilot Study

Authors

  • Mun Leong Tang St Andrew’s Community Hospital 529895, Singapore
  • Chen Na Lee Singapore General Hospital 168753, Singapore
  • Hongli Sam Goh Open University Malaysia 47301, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31674/mjn.2022.v14i01.004

Abstract

Introduction: Palliative training programs, such as the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) curriculum, can equip nurses with the necessary skills and knowledge to cope with patients during end-of-life (EOL) situations. Still, limited studies were conducted in Asia to evaluate its impact on nurses' death anxiety and attitudes in Asia. Methods: This pilot study utilized a quantitative single-group pre-and post-test design and was conducted at a community hospital in Singapore between January 2018 and June 2019. Eighty-two nurses participated in ELNEC program, where a questionnaire was administered before and one month following the two-day workshops. Results: The ELNEC program improved death anxiety (FATCOD) scores from 117.98 to 129.09 (t = -11.38, p<0.01), which indicated a more positive attitude and reduced anxiety towards death encounters. Participants’ communication apprehension, using the CA-Dying scores, decreased from a pre-intervention mean of 92.96 to a post-intervention mean of 76.70 (t = 18.25, p<0.01). Implication: Faculty can utilize ELNEC resource to improve nurses’ knowledge and attitudes towards end-of-life situations in a long-term palliative care setting. Conclusion: This study supported the effectiveness of the ELNEC curriculum in equipping nurses with the necessary skills and knowledge to cope with patients during end-of-life (EOL) situations.

Keywords:

ELNEC, End-of-Life, Palliative, Death Anxiety, Long-Term Care

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References

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Published

01-07-2022

How to Cite

Tang, M. L., Lee, C. N., & Hongli Sam Goh. (2022). Effectiveness of End-of-Life Training Program for Nurses in a Long-Term Palliative Care Setting: A Pilot Study . The Malaysian Journal of Nursing (MJN), 14(1), 25-29. https://doi.org/10.31674/mjn.2022.v14i01.004

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