Community nurses' roles in palliative care: the perceptions of family caregivers who provide palliative care for patients in a Thai community.

Abstract

Background: The roles played by community nurses in caring for dying patients and their families are critical to deliver quality palliative care within the public healthcare system.

Aim: To explore the perceptions of family caregivers of patients receiving palliative care regarding the roles of community nurses in providing palliative care within a Thai context.

Method: A purposive sample of 16 primary palliative caregivers was used. In-depth interviews were conducted October-November 2021. A phenomenographic approach was employed for data analysis of variations in the roles of community nurses providing palliative care.

Findings: Three main roles were revealed: (1) identifier; (2) manager of clinical uncertainty and (3) family caregiver advocate.

Conclusions: Community nurses should address the needs of patients and their family caregivers. Healthcare systems should strengthen the roles of community nurses by providing specialised training and fostering partnerships with family caregivers as advocates during palliative care.