Authors (including presenting author) :
Hui WM(1), Kwan, W(2), Cheng PH(1), Ng LY(3), Kong TYK(3), Wong KK(1), Wong YM(1)
Affiliation :
Palliative Care Unit, Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital, (2) Nursing Department, Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital, (3)Central Nursing Division, Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Introduction :
When newly joined nurses transit into the complex healthcare environment, a theory-to-practice gap is often identified. This gap is due to the demand for specialized skills in different specialties. A study showed that programs providing specific skills and knowledge training through seminars and simulation workshops improved retention rates. Therefore, a customized program named “OnBoard PalliCare” was implemented for Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital (HKBH) nurses with less than two years of experience in the Palliative Care (PC) Unit.
Objectives :
To evaluate the effectiveness of the OnBoard PalliCare in improving the competency of newly joined nurses in providing PC care and in reducing the attrition rate in the HKBH PC unit.
Methodology :
To gather knowledge about PC and the related nursing skills that newly joined nurses preferred to acquire, a questionnaire was distributed to them prior to the program. Ten topics were finalized based on the questionnaire results. To avoid interrupting daily operations, the program was divided into two parts, each lasting 3 hours. A validated measurement tool, the Palliative Care Nursing Self-Competence Scale (PCNSCS), was used for participants to complete before and after the program. The attrition rate was calculated one year before and after the implementation of the program.
Result & Outcome :
A total of six identical sessions with three groups were implemented, training 17 nurses in 2023 and 2024. The 34 questions of the PCNSCS were categorized into eight domains. All eight domains increased from the post-training PCNSCS. Except for Domain 1 and Domain 8, which did not significantly improve, the other six domains showed significant improvement with a p-value < 0.05 using the T-test. The results showed that the newly joined nurses were equipped with the knowledge to relieve physical symptoms and provide end-of-life care from the nursing institute. The program further enhanced their knowledge and skills in all aspects. The average manpower one year before and after the program was 39.26. The attrition rate decreased from 22.92% to 2.55%. The OnBoard PalliCare Program facilitated a smoother transition from theory to practice and increased the competence of the newly joined nurses in providing palliative care, as well as reducing attrition rates. The program is recommended to be sustained.
