CONHECIMENTO DOS PROFISSIONAIS DE ENFERMAGEM SOBRE OS CUIDADOS PALIATIVOS.

Objective: To assess the knowledge of nursing professionals working in clinical wards about palliative care (PC). Methods: Descriptive, transversal, quantitative study. The sample consisted of 42 nursing professionals from three clinical wards of a university hospital in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Knowledge about PC was established as an outcome variable, assessed based on the number of correct answers on the subject. The outcome variable was crossed with the explanatory ones using the X2 test, considering p <0.05. Results: The level of knowledge about PC among nursing professionals was considered partially satisfactory. As for the professionals' self-perception, it was observed that the majority had little knowledge (78.6%). There was no statistically significant difference between professional classes (p=0.63), between training (p=0.66), time since training (p=0.09), length of service in the sector (p=0.537), training in palliative care (p=0.065) with the number of correct answers. There was a statistically significant difference between professionals who rated their knowledge of palliative care as sufficient and those who had never heard of it (p = 0.031). Conclusion: it is concluded that studies involving this theme are urgently needed, considering the growing number of patients who need this approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]