Factors Influencing End-of-Life Care Competency of Long Term Care Hospital Nurses: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors related to the end-of-life care competency of long-term-care hospital nurses.Methods: This study was conducted from June 1 to 29, 2021. Data were collected from 191 nurses working in 10 long-term hospitals using a structured self-reported questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 25.0 program by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression.Results: As a result of multiple linear regression analysis, the factors affecting end-of-life care competency were empathy competency (β=.46, p<001), frequency of supportive behaviors for end-of-life care (β=.19, p=.005), position (β=.19, p=.002), and religion (β=.14, p=.031). This regression model was explained by 35.5% of variances in end-of-life care competency.Conclusion: To improve the quality of life and death of older adults at the end of their life, strategies are needed to identify and reinforce end-of-life care-support behavior factors and improve end-of-life care competency by improving empathy competency.