The Effect of a Repeated Standardized Patient-Based End-of-Life Care Training Program on Nursing Students’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Emotions Toward End-of-Life Patients

Abstract

Background: Sufficient knowledge of end-of-life care, positive attitudes, and emotions regarding death and dying are essential criteria for showcasing favorable palliative care educational results to undergraduate nursing students. However, nursing students have negative attitudes toward end-of-life care and know little about it. Aim: This study aimed to examine the effect of a repeated standardized patient-based training program (intervention) on nursing students’ knowledge, attitudes, and emotions about end-of-life patients. Method: This study adopted a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental research design. The sample consisted of 50 fourth-year nursing students divided into intervention (n = 25) and control (n = 25) groups. All participants attended the intervention. The intervention group attended the intervention twice, while the control group attended it only once. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Frommelt Attitudes Toward Care of the Dying Scale, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and the End-of-Life Care Nursing Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s Chi-square test, dependent groups t test, Pearson-Spearman, Mann-Whitney test, Wilcoxon test, and Friedman test. Results: The intervention helped participants learn more about end-of-life care (χ2 = 27.167, P =.000; F = 42.725, P =.000) and develop more positive attitudes toward end-of-life patients (F = 13.279, P =.000; F = 6.934, P =.000). The intervention also helped participants develop communication skills. Conclusion: Universities should integrate repeated standardized patient-based into nursing curricula.