Barrett, MichelleConnaire, Kevin2016-06-302016-06-302016-03-02A palliative care approach in heart failure: knowledge and attitudes of cardiac nurses 2016, 11 (3):136 British Journal of Cardiac Nursing1749-64032052-220710.12968/bjca.2016.11.3.136http://hdl.handle.net/10147/615128Applying the principles and practice of a palliative care approach can enhance quality of life of patients suffering with heart failure yet many nurses misunderstand the role of palliative care. Aim: This study examined the knowledge and attitudes of cardiac nurses of a palliative care approach when caring for heart failure patients. Method: Two validated questionnaires were used to examine the knowledge and attitudes of 102 nurses in three Irish university hospitals. Results: 76 nurses responded (75%) and the study found that there was limited overall knowledge but positive attitudes to palliative care. A positive correlation was identified between higher knowledge scores and positive attitudes, indicating that those with greater knowledge of palliative care demonstrated more favourable attitudes to caring for dying patients. Conclusion: Addressing the palliative care needs of heart failure patients requires education and training and this study identified specific educational needs in pain and symptom control and communication skills.enArchived with thanks to British Journal of Cardiac Nursinghttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/PALLIATIVE CAREHEART FAILURECARDIAC NURSESEND-OF-LIFE CAREArticleBritish Journal of Cardiac Nursing