Factors Influencing End-of-Life Care Performance Among Community Care Workers Prior to the Implementation of the...

This study aimed to identify the factors influencing end-of-life care performance among community-based care workers prior to the implementation of the Integrated Care Support Act in South Korea.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 153 community care workers who provided home-based services. Data were collected using structured questionnaires that assessed perceptions of a good death, attitudes toward end-of-life care, end-of-life care stress, and end-of-life care performance. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, independent t tests, Pearson correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple regression using SPSS version 29.0.

End-of-life care performance demonstrated a significant positive correlation with end-of-life care stress (r=0.43, P<0.001). Hierarchical regression analysis identified end-of-life care stress (β=0.32, P< 0.001), gender (female; β=-0.20, P=0.01), and intention to participate in end-of-life care education (β=-0.20, P=0.01) as significant predictors. The final model explained 25% of the variance in end-of-life care performance.

End-of-life care stress was the strongest predictor of performance among community-based care workers, along with gender and intention to participate in end-of-life care education. These findings suggest that, when appropriately managed and supported, end-of-life care stress may function as a motivating factor rather than solely a burden. Therefore, structured education and emotional support interventions-such as debriefing and peer-based supervision-are recommended. Additionally, the implementation of the Integrated Care Support Act should be accompanied by institutional systems that facilitate effective end-of-life care practices.