Authors (including presenting author) :
Ng HYN(1), Ko PS(2), Mak KN(3), Ng TC(3), Lam SK(1), Lau KC(3), Law WC(3)
Affiliation :
(1)Palliative Care Unit, Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, (2)Nursing Services Division, United Christian Hospital,(3)Palliative Care Unit, Department of Medicine, Haven of Hope Hospital
Introduction :
Patient Care Assistants (PCAs) in hospital setting are inevitably involved in the care of patients at end-of-life (EOL). Their attitude of caring for dying patients may affect the quality of EOL care of the patients they serve. An experiential workshop was conducted to PCAs on 12 July 2018, with didactic lecture (including topics on understanding the needs of patients and their families at EOL and dos and don’ts in bereavement care), and experiential role plays on communicating with demanding patients and caring at dying scene. Take-home cue cards of tips on communication were also given for their easy reference at workplace.
Objectives :
(1) To change the PCAs’ attitude toward caring for dying patients, (2) to equip and empower PCAs in caring for dying patients and their families, for quality improvement in EOL care.
Methodology :
A pre- and post-intervention study design was used to evaluate the impact of the workshop on PCAs’ attitudes toward caring of the dying. A 10-item questionnaire modified from the Chinese version of Frommelt Attitude Toward Care Of the Dying, FATCOD (Yang, Lu, Zhao, Gu & Zhang, 2016) was used. Descriptive statistics were used in the data analysis.
Result & Outcome :
24 PCAs of Kowloon East Cluster attended the workshop. There was a statistically significant positive change in the post mean score of the attitude test compared to baseline (pre 3.99(SD 0.4) vs. post 4.12(SD 0.36); p<0.05). Positive change was noted in 80% of all items and participants felt less “uncertain” in 90% of the items after the workshop. The lowest mean score in pre- and post- workshop was related to the same item “I would be uncomfortable if I entered the room of a terminally ill person and found him/her crying”, which was positively changed from 2.88 to 3.25. After all, participants also showed appreciation and satisfaction with the workshop. To conclude, the experiential workshop has positive effect on PCAs’ attitude of caring for dying patients. It is recommended to all healthcare workers who may encounter dying patients and their families during their daily work, to prepare them for providing quality EOL care.
Co-location with:
