Mediating effects of family functioning on the relationship between care burden and family quality of life of caregivers of children with intellectual disabilities in Mongolia.

BACKGROUND: Intellectual disabilities are characterized by constant and complex needs for care that place a heavy burden on the families of affected individuals and affect their overall quality of life. We evaluated the mediating effects of family functioning on the relationship between care burden and the family quality of life of caregivers of children with intellectual disabilities in Mongolia. METHODS: Data were collected from a sample of 150 caregivers of children with intellectual disabilities from October 2017 to November 2017. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to examine the mediating effects of family functioning. RESULTS: Family functioning had a partial mediating effect (ß = .702, p < .001) on the relationship between care burden and family quality of life. CONCLUSION: Family functioning should be considered when developing a social support intervention to improve family quality of life among caregivers of children with intellectual disabilities.

Knowledge, attitude and self-efficacy towards palliative care among nurses in Mongolia: A cross-sectional descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Nurses have a primary role in providing palliative and end-of-life (EOL) care. Their knowledge of EOL care, attitudes toward care of the dying, and palliative care self-efficacy are important in care delivery. Little is known regarding palliative care preparedness among Mongolian nurses. This study examines palliative care knowledge, attitude towards death and dying, and self-efficacy among Mongolian nurses, and examines predictors of self-efficacy. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. Participants were 141 nurses employed at the National Cancer Center in Mongolia. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: The median score for the knowledge of palliative care was 8.0/20. "Psychosocial and spiritual care" was the lowest score on the palliative care knowledge subscale. The mean score for attitude toward care of the dying was 69.1%, indicating positive attitudes. The mean score for the palliative care self-efficacy was 33.8/48. Nurses reported low self-efficacy toward communicating with dying patients and their families, and managing delirium. Palliative care knowledge and duration of experience as an oncology nurse significantly predicted self-efficacy toward palliative care, accounting for 14.0% of the variance. CONCLUSIONS: Palliative education for nurses should address the knowledge gaps in EOL care and focus in increasing palliative care self-efficacy. Considering palliative care knowledge and nursing experience as an oncology nurse were significant predictors of self-efficacy toward palliative care, more effort is needed to fill the knowledge gaps in EOL care among nurses, especially for less experienced nurses.

Undergraduate nursing students' palliative care knowledge and attitudes towards end-of-life care: a cross-sectional descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: It is crucial that future nurses be prepared with the knowledge and skills to provide palliative care (PC). AIMS: This study aimed to investigate Mongolian nursing students' PC knowledge and attitudes towards end-of-life (EOL) care, as well as identify related predictors. METHODS: Participants were 141 students who enrolled in nursing program in Mongolia. RESULTS: Mean Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing (PCQN) score was 7.15 out of 20. The mean Frommelt Attitudes Toward Care of the Dying (FATCOD) score was 64.2 out of 100. Older age, male gender, and higher satisfaction with nursing school were significant predictors of higher levels of palliative care knowledge. Living in traditional Mongolian housing (Ger) and having clinical EOL experience were significant predictors of positive attitudes towards EOL care. CONCLUSIONS: Mongolian senior nursing students were inadequately prepared to provide PC. PC nursing education in Mongolia needs to be improved to meet an appropriate global standard.