Instruments for assessing nurses’ palliative care knowledge and skills in specialised care setting: An integrative review
Corresponding Author
Anu Soikkeli-Jalonen MA, RN, BNSc, MNSc student
Research assistant
Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Finland
Correspondence
Anu Soikkeli-Jalonen, Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, FI-20014, Finland.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorMinna Stolt PhD, Docent
University Lecturer
Department of Nursing Science, Finland and Researcher, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
Search for more papers by this authorMaija Hupli RN, PhD
University Lecturer
Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
Search for more papers by this authorTerhi Lemetti RN, MNSc, PhD Candidate
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Department of Nursing Science, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
Search for more papers by this authorCatriona Kennedy PhD, BA Hons Dip Nurs., RN, DN, RNT, DNT, PWT
QNIS Professor of Community Nursing, Adjunct Professor
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK
Department of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
Search for more papers by this authorAngela Kydd PGCE, PhD
Clinical Professor in Nursing
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK
Search for more papers by this authorElina Haavisto RN
Professor
Department of Nursing Science, Satakunta Central Hospital, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Anu Soikkeli-Jalonen MA, RN, BNSc, MNSc student
Research assistant
Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Finland
Correspondence
Anu Soikkeli-Jalonen, Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, FI-20014, Finland.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorMinna Stolt PhD, Docent
University Lecturer
Department of Nursing Science, Finland and Researcher, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
Search for more papers by this authorMaija Hupli RN, PhD
University Lecturer
Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
Search for more papers by this authorTerhi Lemetti RN, MNSc, PhD Candidate
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Department of Nursing Science, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
Search for more papers by this authorCatriona Kennedy PhD, BA Hons Dip Nurs., RN, DN, RNT, DNT, PWT
QNIS Professor of Community Nursing, Adjunct Professor
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK
Department of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
Search for more papers by this authorAngela Kydd PGCE, PhD
Clinical Professor in Nursing
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK
Search for more papers by this authorElina Haavisto RN
Professor
Department of Nursing Science, Satakunta Central Hospital, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
Search for more papers by this authorFUNDING INFORMATION
The review was funded by Government research funding (Satakunta Hospital District).
Abstract
Aims and objectives
To examine the content and reported psychometric properties of instruments for assessing nurses’ palliative care knowledge and skills in specialised healthcare units.
Background
Knowledge of palliative care, and competence in the delivery of care, is essential. Assessment of competence is an important means of evaluating the knowledge and skills of practitioners in order to improve the quality of care provided for patients and their families.
Design
An integrative review.
Methods
A systematic literature search was conducted in November 2018 in five databases: CINAHL, PubMed (Medline), Cochrane, Scopus and Web of Science. The quality assessment was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute's (JBI) Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies. The data were analysed using content analysis. PRISMA guidelines were followed to ensure explicit reporting.
Results
Overall, 5,413 studies were identified and 23 met the inclusion criteria. Nurses’ knowledge and skills, as assessed by the instruments, were as follows: (a) care for the patient, (b) care for the patient's family and (c) professional requirements. Ten instruments were identified assessing nurses’ knowledge and skills through knowledge tests and skill evaluation self-tests. The psychometric properties of the instruments were reported to varying degrees, mainly focusing on internal consistency and content validation.
Conclusions
Nurses’ knowledge and skills were seen to contribute to the holistic care of the patient and his or her family, and the possession of adequate information and skills is essential when dealing with death and dying. The instruments are commonly available and potentially reliable, although reliability must be determined with caution, so validation studies in other cultures are recommended.
Relevance to clinical practice
These results could be utilised to improve the quality of palliative care by evaluating the knowledge and skills of nursing staff or when considering the needs of palliative care education.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
No conflict of interest has been declared by the authors.
Supporting Information
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