The relationship between intensive care nurses' attitudes and behaviors towards end-of-life care and their level of perception of care quality

This research was conducted to evaluate the relationship between intensive care unit nurses' attitudes and behaviors towards end-of-life care and their perception level of care quality. The research was carried out in the intensive care units of Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Hospital and Tokat State Hospital between 31 July 2023 and 31 January 2024. A total of 207 nurses participated in the study. Data were collected using the "Nurse Information Form," "Intensive Care Nurses' Attitudes and Behaviors Towards End-of-Life Care Scale (INTEL)" and "Caring Behaviors Scale-24 (BDI-24)." n the study, 48.8% of the intensive care nurses were women, the average age was 31.50±5.80 years, the average working year was 9.17±5.54, the average working time in the intensive care unit was 7.09±4.16 years and weekly working hours. The average duration is 47.50±8.22 hours. It was determined that 60.9% of the nurses worked in the intensive care clinic voluntarily and 65.7% were happy to work there. n the study, the average INTEL score of intensive care nurses was 53.94±11.23; The mean BDI-24 score was found to be 5.24±0.66. It was determined that there was a statistically significant and positive relationship between intensive care nurses' INTEL and BDI-24 in all subscales (p<0.05). As a result, it was observed that the attitudes and behaviors of female nurses, those with a bachelor's degree or above, those who received training/information about end-of-life care and those who considered their knowledge sufficient were more positive. It was determined that the care behaviors of those who received education/information about end-of-life care were more positive. It can be said that nurses' attitudes and behaviors towards end-of-life care positively increase their care behaviors. It is recommended that end-of-life care training be included in the nursing curriculum and regular in-service training be provided to intensive care nurses.