Palliative Care Competence of Nursing Faculty in Nursing Schools of Region VII

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the competence of nursing faculty in palliative care as a basis for developing a faculty enhancement program. Using a descriptive correlational approach, the study examined the competence of 113 nursing faculty from the following schools in the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, and Negros Oriental in Region VII: Cebu Doctors’ University, University of Cebu-Banilad, Southwestern University PHINMA, Cebu Normal University, Cebu Institute of Technology-University, University of Southern Philippines Foundation, Holy Name University, University of Bohol, Mater Dei College, and Silliman University. The Palliative Care Competence Framework served as the tool to assess competence levels across six domains: Principles of Palliative Care; Communication; Optimizing Comfort and Quality of Life; Care Planning and Collaborative Practice; Loss, Grief and Bereavement; and Professional and Ethical Practice in the Context of Palliative Care. Scores below the median indicate low level of competence while scores equal to or above the median indicate high level of competence. The findings revealed that nursing faculty in the selected schools in Region VII demonstrated high level of competence in palliative care.