Knowledge and Practice on Palliative Care among Trained Health Workers

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess knowledge and understanding of trained health workers on palliative care; and the application of the learning in their work. Study samples were health workers attending the seminars on palliative care and National Health Act 2007 conducted by Thailand Nursing Council during 2011-2012. Data were collected by using self-administered questionnaire sent to all trained health workers; and descriptive statistics were used to describe findings and independent t-test was used to compare the difference on the level of knowledge and the extent of application among participants who were different in sex, education, job position, and workplace. There were 793 respondents collected (62.3%). It was found that most of the respondents were female (95.1%), aged 45-49 years old (27.5%), having bachelor degree (65.4%); and majority were nurses (49.8%). Most of them had good knowledge on palliative care and National Health Act 2007, with high score on the application of the knowledge in their work. The was a significant association between the average score on knowledge and the extent of its utilization (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the level of knowledge and age, sex, education background, current job or workplace. As well, no difference on knowledge application was observed among respondents with different age, sex, and education. However, respondents with different jobs and workplaces had different level of the utilization of the knowledge (p<0.05). Therefore, knowledge on palliative care and the care followed the National Health Act 2007 should be regularly and continuously provided to health care personal. Moreover, application of the knowledge to people with different health care needs should also be promoted.