PURPOSE: Nurses and physicians must be competent enough to provide care for the clients. As a lack of knowledge and a poor attitude result in a low performance of delivering care, this study aimed to explore the nurses versus physicians' knowledge, attitude, and performance on care for the family members of dying patients (FMDPs). METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted at the educational hospitals in Isfahan, Iran. The samples were 110 nurses and 110 physicians. The data were collected through a convenience sampling method and using a valid and reliable questionnaire. RESULTS: The average knowledge, attitude, and performance on care for the FMDPs were not significantly different between nurses and physicians (p>0.05). The majority of nurses (55.4%) and physician (63.6%) were at a moderate and a fair level of knowledge of care for the FMDPs. Most of the nurses (81%) and physicians (87.3%) had a positive attitude towards caring the FMDPs. Most of the nurses (70%) and physicians (86.3%) had a moderate and fair performance. CONCLUSION: Having enough knowledge and skills, and a positive attitude are necessary for caring the FMDPs. Nurses' and physicians' competencies must be improved through continuing educational programs and holding international and national conferences with a focus on the palliative care.
Adult ; *Attitude of Health Personnel ; *Attitude to Death ; Clinical Competence ; Empathy ; Family ; Female ; Humans ; Iran ; Male ; *Nurses ; *Palliative Care ; Personnel, Hospital ; *Physicians ; *Professional-Family Relations ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; *Terminal Care

The COVID-19 pandemic, as a global health concern, has affected worldwide medical practice.1 2 Medical services had to be altered—if not halted altogether—to adapt to drastic changes in infection control protocols.3 Dental practice is not spared from this development since dental health care practitioners (DHCP) are at increased risk of occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.4 Most dental procedures generate significant amounts of droplets and aerosol, which could promote spread of COVID-19 infection.
COVID-19