Attitudes and influencing factors of nursing interns towards hospice care in Wuhu, China: a cross-sectional study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Nursing interns are future frontline providers of hospice care, and their attitudes toward end-of-life care directly affect the quality of hospice services. However, current nursing education often lacks targeted hospice care training, leading to gaps in nursing interns’ preparedness to meet the needs of terminally ill patients. Nursing education plays a crucial role in equipping nursing interns with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide compassionate care for dying patients. Nursing programs need to prioritize end-of-life care training, as it prepares these future nurses to address the unique physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of individuals nearing the end of their lives. The sample for this study consisted of 374 nursing college interns who were assessed using the general data questionnaire and the Chinese version of the FATCOD-B-C (Frommelt Attitude Toward Care of the Dying Scale–Form B, Chinese Version). The measurement data were characterized using the mean and standard deviation, while the counting data were described by the number of individuals. The mean score of the FATCOD-B-C items was 114.79 (SD = 10.68). The regression equation ultimately included a total of seven variables (p < 0.05), including attitudes towards death, gender, internship duration (mth), encouraging your loved ones to consider hospice care, the experience of witnessing the death of any relative, hoping to offer specialized hospice courses and provide knowledge about hospice care to others. Regarding the hospice care content included in the geriatric nursing course (a core course in the nursing program), 72.5% of participants were satisfied with its delivery. According to the survey, 56.7% of participants expressed their willingness to contribute towards hospice care development. The level of enthusiasm towards hospice care among nursing interns in China requires enhancement. It is suggested to establish the correct view of death for nursing interns, constantly improve the nursing curriculum system, and increase the study of hospice care courses to improve the enthusiasm of these nursing interns for hospice care. The extent of exposure to hospice care in nursing education plays a crucial role in shaping interns’ attitudes. Nursing curricula that incorporate comprehensive hospice and palliative care training tend to foster more positive attitudes towards this specialized field. The findings of the study can have implications for policy and practice related to hospice care in Wuhu and beyond. By identifying factors that positively or negatively influence attitudes, policymakers and practitioners can work to address any gaps or issues and improve the overall quality of hospice care services. Understanding nursing interns’ attitudes and their influencing factors helps healthcare institutions identify areas for improvement in hospice care services. Targeted training and mentorship can elevate interns’ skills and empathy, ultimately leading to better patient care.
Source: BMC Nursing
Authors: Liu Yang, Quan Zhou
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,090
OpenAlex ID: W4416205391