2021 Volume 41 Pages 885-894
Objective: This study aimed to clarify the perceptions of outpatient nurses for palliative cancer care and its related factors in the following four aspects: physical, psychological, social and spiritual.
Method: A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted on outpatient nurses at designated oncology hospitals in a prefecture to understand their perceptions of palliative cancer care and related experiences.
Results: The questionnaire was distributed to 207 participants, and the response rate was 92.3%. Less than 20% of the nurses considered themselves to be practicing palliative care. Nurses who believed that they were practicing in a spiritual sense of the role comprised approximately 70%, and 80% to 90% felt they were involved in the in the other three aspects mentioned above. Factors that influenced the practice of palliative care included training of nurses, support from other professionals or certified nurses, and collaboration with other healthcare professionals.
Conclusion: To promote the practice of palliative care by outpatient nurses, it is imperative to expand their practical knowledge of basic palliative care and assist them to develop a collaborative working relationship with other healthcare professionals.
