Systematic Review on the Influencing Factors of Nurses' and Nursing Students' Attitudes Toward Hospice and Palliative Care

Abstract

Identifying the degree of attitudes has a critical effect on the application of hospice and palliative care. However, studies on hospice and palliative care attitudes highlight only statistically significant outcomes and do not propose comprehensive conclusions or generalizations about attitudes. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to synthesize and appraise articles that analyzed nurses' attitudes regarding palliative care services. After compiling, the finally selected 13 articles indicated that influencing factors on nurses' attitudes were experience in caring for the dying, career or education level, knowledge and education toward hospice and palliative care, religious belief, death (education and anxiety), and age. Most nurses and nursing students displayed positive cognition and attitudes, yet a low level of knowledge. These results show that an introduction of hospice and palliative care education and practical training in nursing curricula is necessary. And such implementation should take place within sanatoriums as well, where attending the terminally ill takes place at all times. Because hospice and palliative care is usually provided by a multidisciplinary team, it is necessary to identify which factors influence each member of the team likewise. It is anticipated this study will become a preliminary basis for such research.