Authors

Laura Cabello Oblanca1, Raquel García Ocina2, Lucía Mingot Carrera3, Silvia Núñez González4, Sol Pablo Sainz-Ezquerra5

Position

1Especialista en Enfermería Familiar y Comunitaria. Centro de salud Medio Cudeyo. Gerencia de Atención Primaria de Cantabria. Cantabria (España)2Especialista en Enfermería Familiar y Comunitaria. Hospital Universitario de Burgos. Gerencia de Atención Especializada de Burgos. Burgos (España)3Especialista en Enfermería Familiar y Comunitaria. Consultorio de Liendo. Centro de salud Laredo. Gerencia de Atención Primaria de Cantabria. Cantabria (España)4Especialista en Enfermería Familiar y Comunitaria. Centro de salud Pravia. Servicio Asturiano de Salud. Asturias (España)5Especialista en Enfermería Familiar y Comunitaria. Centro de salud Puertochico. Gerencia de Atención Primaria de Cantabria. Cantabria (España)

Contact address

Raquel García Ocina. Barriada Juan XXIII, 24. 09007 Burgos (España).

Contact email: rakelgarcia_98@hotmail.com

Abstract

Objective: to determine the level of knowledge regarding palliative care (PC) by Primary Care nurses in Cantabria.
Method: a descriptive cross-sectional study on a population formed by Primary Care team and emergency nurses. The sample was estimated in 171 nurses, and there was convenience and snowball sampling. Sociodemographic, occupational and training variables were measured, and there was an evaluation of the overall knowledge about PC through the PCQN validated questionnaire (from 0 and up to 10 points), with its three sub-scales (PC philosophy and principles; psychosocial aspects, management of pain and other symptoms). Descriptive and bivariate statistics was conducted.
Results: the study included 180 nurses. The overall mean knowledge was of 5.7 points (SD= 1.3) (principles and philosophy sub-scale [x–= 6.1; SD= 2.5]; management of pain and symptoms [x–= 6.0; SD= 1.5]; psychosocial aspects [x–= 3.7; SD= 2.9]). Statistically significant differences in the level of knowledge were found, based on the years of overall professional experience (5 or lower [x–= 5.2; SD= 1.3]; from 6 to 20 [x–= 5.4; SD= 1.4] or over 20 [x–= 6; SD= 1.2]; p value= 0.012), and on the years of experience at Primary Care (5 or lower [x–= 5.5; SD= 1.3], from 6 to 20 [x–= 5.6; SD= 1.4] or over 20 [x–= 6.3; SD=1]; p value= 0.004).
Conclusions: a medium level of knowledge was found in the Primary Care nurses from Cantabria. Knowledge increased at the same time as professional experience. The area with a lower level was the one associated with psychosocial aspects. Training in the palliative care setting is needed for these nurses.

Keywords:

Nursing; palliative care; Primary Health Care; health knowledge, attitudes, practice; clinical competence; cross-sectional studies.

Versión en Español

Título:

Conocimientos en cuidados paliativos de las enfermeras de Atención Primaria de Cantabria