Article

Israeli Nurses’ Palliative Care Knowledge, Attitudes, Behaviors, and Practices

Caryn Scheinberg-Andrews

Freda DeKeyser Ganz

palliative care, oncology nurse, intensive care unit nurse, Israeli nurse, end of life
ONF 2020, 47(2), 213-221. DOI: 10.1188/20.ONF.213-221

Objectives: To describe and compare self-perceived end-of-life (EOL) knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and practices of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses compared to oncology nurses.

Sample & Setting: 126 Israeli nurses (79 oncology nurses and 47 ICU nurses) who were members of the Israel Association of Cardiology and Critical Care Nurses and the Israeli Oncology Nurses Organization.

Methods & Variables: This cross-sectional study used an online survey to gather demographic information, clinical setting, and study measures (EOL knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and practices).

Results: Oncology nurses and ICU nurses showed moderate levels of self-perceived knowledge and attitudes toward palliative care; however, their self-reported behaviors were low. Oncology nurses scored slightly higher than ICU nurses on knowledge and attitudes but not behaviors, although the difference was not statistically significant.

Implications for Nursing: Contrary to the current authors’ expectations, oncology nurses and ICU nurses have similar levels of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding palliative care. Nurses in both settings need to be better trained and empowered to provide such care.

Members Only
Not a current ONS member or journal subscriber?

Purchase This Article

Receive a PDF to download and print.