Attitudes of Female Health Science Students and Recent Graduates toward the Care of the Dying in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background

Positive and professional attitude of health professionals toward the palliative care issues of patients is crucial and challenging for fresh graduates. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of health science graduates about providing care for dying patients and their families.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, graduates of the College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Saudi Arabia (n = 113) have participated. The FATCOD -B scale was used to measure the attitude of health science graduates toward the care of patients and their families on a 5-point Likert scale. Data was collected through survey research forms.

Results

Significant associations of graduates’ attitude toward care of the dying patient with age, department, religious beliefs, education and experience (p = .05) were found. On the scale of caring for the dying patients’ families, religious beliefs and education (p = .05) were significant. Furthermore, multiple linear regression confirmed the predictive relationship of religious beliefs, education, and experience (R² = .342, F = 11.021, p = .000) with graduates’ attitudes toward patient care. In comparison, education (R² = .068, F = 1.541, p = .183) was the predictor of participants’ attitudes towards care of the patients’ families.

Conclusion

There is a dire need to focus on palliative care in the formal curriculum for all the health sciences disciplines. It is highly recommended to utilize case scenarios and simulation practice skills during the academic year to prepare students before the internship year. On-job counselling sessions can be helpful to increase the positive attitude of young Health graduates while working with dying patients and their families.