The effect of an educational intervention for caregivers of children receiving palliative care: A quasi-experimental study.

PURPOSE: The study examined the impact of an educational intervention delivered to caregivers of children receiving palliative care.

DESIGN AND

METHODS

This study was designed as a quasi-experimental single-group pretest-posttest study. The study was conducted on 57 caregivers of children followed up in the paediatric palliative care unit of a city hospital in the Central Anatolia region of Türkiye. A demographic information form, PalliCare Needs Scale and PalliCare Management Scale were administered to the caregivers before the educational intervention. A post-test was administered to all participants after educational intervention.

RESULTS

The difference between the PalliCare Needs Scale pre-test and post-test scores of the participants was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001). When the participants' PalliCare Management Scale scores were analysed, the pre-test median total score was 3.36, while the post-test median total score was 4.09, and a statistically significant difference was found between these scores (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

It was observed that the educational intervention applied to caregivers of children in need of palliative care resulted in a significant improvement in the identification of care needs and care management.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Training programmes for caregivers in the palliative care process should be expanded, standardised to improve the quality of care, and integrated into health policies.