Nursing Homes and Health Care Facilities for the Elderly

Bibliographic Information 

Wilson, O., Avalos, G., & Dowling, M. (2016). Knowledge of palliative care and attitudes towards nursing the dying patient. British Journal of Nursing, 25 (11), 600–605. 

Summary 

The increased number of old people has led to more nursing homes and health care facilities for the elderly. The article assesses palliative care understanding and attitudes involved in caring for patients who are dying among nurses who work in centers for old people in a rural area in Ireland. The authors used a cross-sectional survey design to conduct the study. Sixty-one nurses participated in the study and each received two questionnaires. In the literature review, the authors note that individuals suffering from life-limiting diseases and those towards end of life have various and in most cases complicated requirements compared to those of other ages. The authors note that the process of dying is usually slow and characterized by continuous reduction, disability and finally death. As a result, the palliative care requirements of such patients are neglected ( Wilson, Avalos, & Dowling, 2016 ). 

The article propose that nurses who offer care in homes and facilities for older individuals should have enough understanding of palliative care to ensure that quality care is offered to people who require it. The results of the study indicate that most study subjects offering their care services in nursing homes had received more education on palliative care compared to the ones in community health care facilities (Wilson et al., 2016). The article therefore concludes that those who had studied for ECEPC had the highest level of knowledge in palliative care among study participants. In addition, more knowledge in palliative care leads to positive attitudes. The study identified moderate knowledge in nurses working in older people facilities and homes. The authors recommend that nurses who have little experience be allowed to work alongside those with more experience. 

Critique 

The authors’ central argument is nurses with higher levels of knowledge and experience in palliative care have positive attitudes in caring for people during end of life. I agree with this argument because research done on the topic so far indicates so. More knowledge equips nurses with skills required in palliative care hence positive attitudes ( Achora & Labrague, 2019) . In addition, more experience assists in provision of quality care and contributes to knowledge. The argument is presented in a coherent and precise manner. The literature review conducted is not extensive especially on the area of knowledge and attitudes of palliative care nurses. However, the study is congruent with current literature. 

The results of the study agree with most other results from studies conducted in the past. Researchers agree that nurses with higher levels of knowledge in palliative care possess more positive attitudes in their care for individuals who are dying (Dincer & Torun, 2019) . The methodology used is appropriate for the study because it addresses the research problem and provides solutions to the research problem. However, I would suggest that the authors use a larger and diverse sample which is representative to allow generalization of results. 

Implications for nursing 

Nurses offering palliative care ought to be assisted with the chance to acquire European Certificate in Essential Palliative Care (ECEPC). This will help increase their knowledge levels and boost their attitudes towards caring for older people. In addition, the study suggests that palliative care nurses who are less experienced can gain from working together with those who have more experience. Older nurses have more experience which can help most young nurses who in most cases have less experience (Wilson et al., 2016). The article also suggests that ideologies that support palliative care need to be included in palliative care training programs. This is important in enhancing understanding of palliative care process. According to the article, palliative care education should also address the part played by advanced care directives. The directives are crucial in offering care that is patient-centered during end of life (Wilson et al., 2016). 

References 

Dincer, M., & Torun, N. (2017). The views of nurses working at palliative care centers about palliative care and the influence of education on their knowledge level.  Medicine Science | International Medical Journal , 1. doi: 10.5455/medscience.2017.06.8638. 

Achora, S., & Labrague, L. J. (2019). An Integrative Review on Knowledge and Attitudes of Nurses Toward Palliative Care.  Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing ,  21 (1), 29–37. doi: 10.1097/njh.0000000000000481. 

Wilson, O., Avalos, G., & Dowling, M. (2016). Knowledge of palliative care and attitudes towards nursing the dying patient. British Journal of Nursing, 25 (11), 600–605.