A Scoping Review of Palliative Care Education for Preregistration Student Nurses in the Asia Pacific Region.

Abstract

Palliative care is essential for improving the quality of life for patients with life-threatening illnesses and their families. However, access remains limited, especially in lower-middle-income countries. Education plays a vital role in developing quality palliative care services and is crucial for cultivating competencies that enhance the delivery of care. Meanwhile, its integration into nursing curricula is inconsistent, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. This scoping review explores core palliative care competencies for undergraduate nursing students in the Asia-Pacific region, aiming to identify, develop, and integrate these competencies into nursing education and practice. The review followed Arksey and O'Malley's five-stage framework, including a comprehensive search of databases and search engines such as PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, Google Scholar, ProQuest, ResearchGate, and Academic-Edu. The study included 23 articles published from 2012 to 2023, focusing on empirical data and theoretical models related to palliative care education in the Asia-Pacific region. The review identified key palliative care competencies, including holistic care, conceptual knowledge, communication, collaboration, and emotional preparedness for death. Barriers to integration include limited resources, insufficient trained educators, and inadequate clinical placements. Facilitators include positive clinical experiences and exposure to palliative care environments, which enhance students' competencies and attitudes. There is a significant need to standardize and strengthen the integration of palliative care competencies in nursing curricula across the Asia-Pacific region. By adopting innovative teaching methods and ensuring comprehensive education, nursing students can be better prepared to deliver high-quality, patient-centered palliative care, ultimately improving patient outcomes and addressing the growing need for these services.