Investigating the Multidomain Impact of Palliative Care on End-of-Life Patients: A Comprehensive Evaluation.

Abstract

Background: Palliative care is recognized for its holistic approach in improving the quality of life for patients and their families, focusing on pain relief, symptom management, and addressing emotional, social, and spiritual needs. However, the field is evolving due to increasing demand for these specialized services, emphasizing the need for the ongoing research into palliative care practices. Research Purpose: Is to investigate the multidomain impact of palliative care on end-of-life patients and evaluate their effectiveness on these domains. Method: A quantitative descriptive design was adopted for conducting the current study. Approval obtained from a designated hospital in Amman, Jordan, and official permission to carry out the study. The study's participants consisted primarily of physicians and nurses who were involved in providing care to terminally ill patients. The research tool employed in this study is a standardized palliative care assessment that was used in Australia, with modifications based on the literature review. The validity and reliability of the adapted tool have been ensured through rigorous testing procedures. Results: Findings indicated that the implementation of standardized practical palliative care exhibited an average level across all domains, specifically, the spiritual domain received the highest mean score (1.80), while the structural domain had the lowest (1.69). There were significant differences in palliative care provision across specialized work sites, with radiotherapy and blood disease sites scoring higher (M = 2.04 and M = 1.87, respectively). Educational levels significantly influenced care perceptions, favoring BSc holders. Age did not significantly affect palliative care provision, probably because of standardized care protocols and sample size. In addition, nurses rated palliative care higher than physicians, likely due to their more direct patient involvement. Conclusion: In light of the results, it is evident that there is a pressing need to consistently evaluate the healthcare services offered to meet the needs of the increasing population of terminally ill patients.