Date Available

12-9-2016

Year of Publication

2016

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Committee Chair

Dr. Martha Biddle

Clinical Mentor

Dr. Jennifer Hester

Committee Member

Dr. Debra Moser

Abstract

Background: Clear communication of the purpose and benefits of palliative care can reduce barriers to acceptance of such services for patients and families. The purpose of this practice improvement project was to assess and improve knowledge and perceptions of palliative care among patients with a diagnosis of heart failure and cancer in the acute setting using a video enhanced education intervention. Methods: This practice improvement project took place at a 555 bed teaching hospital. 18 patients referred to an inpatient palliative care consult service in the acute care setting with a diagnosis of either heart failure or cancer participated. Result: Paired sample t-tests were conducted to examine the effectiveness of the intervention in patients’ scores assessing level of palliative care awareness (Table 2). There was a significant positive difference in the scores for level of palliative care awareness before (M = 2.56, SD = 1.25) and after (M = 3.72, SD = 1.179) a five-minute video describing palliative care; t(17) = 3.82 p = .001. Discussion: Video interventions delivered at the point of care in the acute setting may be an effective tool for improving knowledge and perceptions of palliative care among patient with diagnoses of heart failure or cancer. Conclusion: The benefits of video education may be enhanced when delivered with the addition of face to face interaction by a member of the healthcare team versus a video self-administered by the patient. Further evaluation is needed.

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