THE PALLIATIVE CARE QUIZ FOR NURSING (PCQN) - THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INSTRUMENT TO MEASURE NURSES KNOWLEDGE OF PALLIATIVE CARE

This paper describes the process and outcomes of a study to develop a tool to measure nurses' knowledge of palliative care. The development of the palliative care quiz for nursing (PCQN) entailed the convening of an advisory committee, a wide process of consultation, the developm ent of a conceptual framework, determination of format, generating of items and pre-testing, piloting and further testing of the quiz. The P CQN is a 20-item true, false and 'I don't know' test of knowledge that is easily administered and has utility for assessing knowledge, stimu lating discussion and identifying misconceptions about palliative care nursing.