The effect of a teaching invervention on nurses' knowledge of end-of-life care

Care of the dying has become an increasingly institutionalized process in America. As in many industrialized nations, nursing homes are the place of care for many frail persons dying of chronic, progressive illnesses. Untreated pain is a particular problem among nursing home residents. A lack of education in end-of-life care among staff members is one factor that can affect the quality of nursing home care. The purpose of this study was to measure the effectiveness of an educational intervention on nursing home staff nurses' knowledge of end-of-life care. Twenty-one staff nurses participated in this study. Changes in nurses' knowledge level of end-of-life care, knowledge of pain management, and confidence in providing quality end-of-life care were examined. The findings of this study are consistent with current literature regarding misconceptions of pain and pain management in the nursing home setting and indicate the need for further education.