Palliative and End-of-Life Care Self-perceived Educational Needs of Physicians and Nurses in Rwanda. Issue 6 (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moreland, Patricia J.; Rosa, William E.; Uwimana, Philomene; Male, Marcia A.; Sego, Ruth; Nankundwa, Evelyne; Byiringiro, Samuel; Nsereko, Etienne; Uwiringiyimana, Emmanuel; Nyiringango, Gerard; Baker, Helen; Ntizimira, Christian R.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hospice and palliative nursing. Volume 23:Issue 6(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: end-of-life care -- palliative care education -- Rwanda; Hospice care -- Periodicals; Palliative treatment -- Periodicals; Terminal care -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Research -- United States -- Periodicals; Hospice nurses -- Training of -- United States -- Periodicals; 616.029
• DOI: 10.1097/NJH.0000000000000794
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1522-2179

Abstract

Abstract : Palliative care access is an urgent and ethical imperative to effectively manage the increasing burden of serious health-related suffering worldwide. Understanding the palliative care educational needs of health care professionals is critical to support evidence-based clinical practice in Rwanda and other low- and middle-income countries. A cross-sectional study was conducted at 5 hospitals in Kigali, Rwanda, to assess the palliative/end-of-life educational needs of nurses and physicians. The End-of-Life Professional Caregiver Survey and a demographic form were used to collect data. Descriptive analyses and independent t tests were conducted. A total of 420 health care professionals participated in the study (response rate, 72%). Participants perceived their knowledge and skills in providing palliative/end-of-life care as low. Those who received palliative/end-of-life care training in the past 5 years, third- and fourth-year residents, and health care providers with 5 years of experience or more had significantly higher ( P ⩽ .05) mean scores on the End-of-Life Professional Caregiver Survey. Nurses scored higher than physicians in the patient- and family-centered communication ( P = .049) and cultural and ethical values ( P = .037) subscales. Pain management was identified as an educational need by 77% of participants. Our survey suggests the need for increased governmental investments in palliative/end-of-life care education among nurses and physicians in Rwanda. Abstract : Supplemental digital content is available in the text.