Towards enhancing palliative care competencies through comprehensive training for nurses and physicians in resource-limited settings: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Despite the crucial role of palliative care (PC) in enhancing the quality of life for patients with life-threatening illnesses and their caregivers, access remains limited, particularly in resource-limited settings. Only 12% of terminally ill patients receive PC in these areas. In Palestine, where cancer is the third leading cause of death, PC services are still emerging. This study aims to address the gap in understanding healthcare professionals' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding PC in Palestinian oncology hospitals, aiming to inform policy development for integrating comprehensive PC into the healthcare system.

Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional, correlational quantitative study assessed the KAP of Palestinian physicians and nurses toward PC. Data were collected between December 2021 and January 2022 from seven oncology hospitals in the West Bank using a validated questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS.28, involved descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, independent t-tests, chi-square, and Pearson correlation to identify significant relationships between subgroups.

Results: Out of 181 responses, 168 were analyzed. Participants had a mean age of 32.2 years and an average of 8.23 years of experience. Males represented 64.3% of the sample, and 75% were nurses. Only 24.4% had received PC training. Knowledge scores averaged 78.19% (14.86 out of 19), while attitudes toward terminally ill patients had a mean score of 83.4% (64.32 out of 80). Practice scores averaged 70.67% (38.87 out of 55), with significant associations found between practice scores and variables such as department, hospital type, and training. Notably, knowledge was positively associated with age and experience, and attitude scores were linked to training and department. A significant positive relationship was observed between knowledge and attitude and between attitude and practice, but not between knowledge and practice.

Conclusion: There is a critical need for enhanced PC training programs in Palestine to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice. Policymakers should prioritize these training initiatives and further research to identify specific domains requiring attention.

Clinical trial number: Not applicable.

Keywords: Attitude; Knowledge; Neoplasms; Oncology; Palliative care; Practice.