A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Palliative-care nurses' and physicians' descriptions of the competencies needed in their working units
Authors: Melender Hanna-Leena, Hökkä Minna, Kaakinen Pirjo, Lehto Juho T, Hirvonen Outi
Publisher: MARK ALLEN GROUP
Publication year: 2022
Journal: International Journal of Palliative Nursing
Journal name in source: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PALLIATIVE NURSING
Journal acronym: INT J PALLIAT NURS
Volume: 28
Issue: 1
First page : 38
Last page: 50
Number of pages: 11
ISSN: 1357-6321
eISSN: 2052-286X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12968/ijpn.2022.28.1.38
Web address : https://doi.org/10.12968/ijpn.2022.28.1.38
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/791176
Background: Specialists were asked to describe the most essential palliative and end-of-life care competencies needed in their working units, in order to deepen the understanding of the phenomenon.
Aim: To describe the most essential competencies of palliative-care nurses and physicians.
Methods: The data was collected using an open-ended question in a survey sent to registered nurses (n=129) working within palliative care and to physicians (n=64) with a special competency in palliative care. The data was analysed using content analysis.
Results: The description of the most essential competencies included 16 main categories and 63 subcategories in total. The three strongest main categories were 'clinical competence', 'competence in social interactions' and 'competence in giving support'. Eleven main categories were based on both nurses' and physicians' data, while five main categories were created from nurses' data only.
Conclusion: Interprofessional palliative-care education is recommended for the undergraduate and postgraduate education of nurses and physicians.
