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Student nurses' knowledge of palliative care: evaluating an education module
1Kingston University and St George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK.
International Journal of Palliative Nursing
|February 15, 2002
Summary
This study evaluated a palliative care module for student nurses in the UK. The module significantly improved understanding of pain and symptom management, particularly opioid use, highlighting the need for compulsory palliative care education in nursing curricula.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Palliative Care
- Healthcare Training
Background:
- Palliative care education in UK nursing curricula is inconsistent.
- There is a recognized need to enhance palliative care training for nurses.
- This study addresses the patchy provision of palliative care education.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a specific palliative care module for third-year student nurses.
- To assess changes in student nurses' knowledge regarding pain and symptom control.
- To identify specific areas of knowledge improvement and deficit in palliative care.
Main Methods:
- A palliative care module was delivered to third-year student nurses.
- The Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing (PCQN) was administered pre- and post-module.
- Quantitative data analysis was used to assess knowledge changes.
Main Results:
- Students showed significant improvement in understanding pain and symptom control.
- Knowledge of adjuvant therapies and opioid use increased substantially.
- Students demonstrated a rejection of the 'fear of addiction' myth regarding opioids.
Conclusions:
- The palliative care module effectively enhanced student nurses' knowledge.
- Gaps in knowledge persist regarding specific medications (codeine), sedation, and placebos.
- A compulsory, assessed palliative care module with clinical placement is recommended for undergraduate nursing programs.