How skilled do Israeli nurses perceive themselves to be in providing palliative care? Results of a national survey.

BACKGROUND: In Israel, palliative care (PC) services are limited. This study assessed Israeli nurses' perceived competencies and educational needs in providing PC.

DESIGN: Online administration of the End-of-Life Professional Caregiver Survey (EPCS).

SETTING/SUBJECTS: Oncology and PC nurses were identified through the Israel Ministry of Health and Oncology Nurses' Society.

MEASUREMENTS: Demographic and practice data were analysed using analysis of variance tests to determine differences between nurse characteristics by EPCS domains.

RESULTS: The sample (n=105) was 94% female, had a mean age of 48 years (SD=10.5) and 83% were Jewish Israeli. Thirty-nine percent reported PC training in nursing school and 42% felt their workplace provided little to no PC education and resources to nurses. Those with advanced degrees and those who received post-graduate PC training had higher mean scores across EPCS domains (p<0.05 for all).

CONCLUSIONS: Nursing education and workplace support in PC for Israeli nurses are limited. It is hoped that these findings may inform future PC nursing education and policy in Israel.