Palliative Care and Social Practice最新文献

{"title":"Investigating effect versus impact in a participatory action research project: Building end-of-life communication competence in residential care facilities for older people.","authors":"Åsa Mikaelsson, Carol Tishelman, Kerrie Noonan, Leo Kowalski, Max Kleijberg, Therese Johansson, Terese Stenfors, Lars E Eriksson, Ida Goliath","doi":"10.1177/26323524261488419","DOIUrl":"10.1177/26323524261488419","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Active involvement of residents, family members and staff in proactive end-of-life conversations remains uncommon in residential care facilities for older people, although these are common settings for the end-of-life. This study derives from a Participatory Action Research project with an intervention aimed at developing Death Literacy among residential care staff, to promote implementation of proactive end-of-life conversations.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This article has a two-fold aim: (1) to investigate effects and forms of impact derived from this project intending to improve Death Literacy, and (2) to discuss challenges in this investigation and contribute to critical debate and further inform the use and development of the Death Literacy concept and related index (DLI).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We combined quantitative analysis of pre-post intervention DLI survey data from staff and qualitative framework analysis of official documents along with transcribed interviews and workshop data from various staff groups. The framework was based on a matrix with Death Literacy features on one axis and forms of impact on the other.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The DLI showed no positive change over time. Effect evaluation was challenged by high baseline mean scores and ceiling effects on the DLI, and issues associated with the use of a participatory research approach, e.g. baseline differences between groups related to recruitment strategies. However, qualitative findings indicated all three forms of impact described in Kleijberg et al.'s model: impact on individual and group development, action-oriented impact, and strategy-oriented impact. These were seen to be related to all Death Literacy features, most notably experiential learning and social action.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Features of Death Literacy were relevant in understanding impact, although the usefulness of the DLI to measure change over time was limited in this study. A matrix framework provided nuanced insight beyond either model alone. Congruence of different methodological assumptions should be carefully considered when designing investigations of effect and impact of complex interventions with limited researcher control.</p>","PeriodicalId":36693,"journal":{"name":"Palliative Care and Social Practice","volume":"20 ","pages":"26323524261488419"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13570052/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148956170","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Can the 'Deathbed Etiquette' guide support friends and family to navigate the dying process? A qualitative study examining the views of bereaved people.","authors":"Lara Datta Paulin, Louise Nelson, Katie Pears, Rhian Wyn Thomas, Sarah Clelland, Lesley Dunleavy, Margaret Doherty, Amy Gadoud","doi":"10.1177/26323524261488421","DOIUrl":"10.1177/26323524261488421","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>How people experience the death of a friend or relative is impacted by their knowledge of what to expect when someone is dying and how prepared they feel. Deathbed Etiquette is a written resource providing information about the dying process to support friends and relatives through this experience.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To explore the views of bereaved people on the guide Deathbed Etiquette.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Qualitative study, utilising semi structured interviews.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Participants were recruited through a hospice and hospital in the Northwest of England and social media between December 2023 and March 2025. Framework analysis was used to analyse the data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Bereaved participants (n=22) expressed a sense of reassurance from the guide and felt that this additional written information would have been valuable. Content identified as particularly important included what the dying process physically looks like, uncertainty, what to expect after death and the needs of friends, relatives and children. The importance of an individualised approach was recognised; a generic guide may not adequately meet everybody's needs and cultural and religious variations are not addressed in the guide. There was mixed feedback on the format of the guide, with suggestions for change. The guide should be delivered alongside a sensitive conversation with a healthcare professional and would be most beneficial when dying occurs at home. It could also be freely available in public spaces, to improve death literacy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Deathbed Etiquette is a useful tool to improve the experience of those supporting a friend or relative at the end of life. However, changes should be made to improve its usefulness and accessibility. An individual approach to information provision is needed and one guide cannot meet the needs of everyone. The findings can be applied more widely to other resources, however limitations in religious and cultural generalisability should be considered.</p>","PeriodicalId":36693,"journal":{"name":"Palliative Care and Social Practice","volume":"20 ","pages":"26323524261488421"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13562848/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148956902","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of the use of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale - Revised (ESAS-r) among hospitalised patients with limited life expectancy: A cross-sectional study.","authors":"Nóra Szigeti, Adrián András Pál, Szilárd Kun, Ágnes Csikós","doi":"10.1177/26323524261472080","DOIUrl":"10.1177/26323524261472080","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Palliative care aims to improve the quality of life for patients with advanced chronic diseases. Accurate symptom assessment, based on fully completed questionnaires, is essential for selecting appropriate treatments during the final stages, when patients experience severe distress.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study evaluates the use of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale - Revised (ESAS-r) in hospitalized patients with limited life expectancy.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>This cross-sectional study included hospitalized patients with advanced chronic diseases and a life expectancy of less than six months, as determined by the healthcare team's clinical judgment using the Surprise Question at admission.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The ESAS-r, a validated brief self-report tool, was used to assess nine core symptoms and one additional symptom: pain, tiredness (lack of energy), nausea, drowsiness, lack of appetite, shortness of breath, depression (feeling sad), anxiety (feeling nervous), overall well-being, and an optional symptom. If the patient's condition permitted, the investigator administered the questionnaire verbally and recorded the responses. If not, the reason was documented, and patient data were collected.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The ESAS-r effectively captured a multidimensional profile of patient suffering. Depression, impaired well-being, and tiredness were the most severe symptoms reported. However, 45% of patients (n = 47/104) with significantly lower Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) scores were unable to complete the study due to poor general condition. Patients who died within six months had significantly higher rates of cancer (p = 0.016) and more severe appetite loss (p = 0.010) than survivors.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The ESAS-r is an effective tool for monitoring both physical and psychological symptoms in hospitalized palliative patients. Among patients with limited life expectancy and poor functional status, nearly half may be unable to complete the questionnaire due to their condition.</p>","PeriodicalId":36693,"journal":{"name":"Palliative Care and Social Practice","volume":"20 ","pages":"26323524261472080"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13558907/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148931440","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Collaborative networks in palliative care: Analysis of principles and models in Argentina and Colombia.","authors":"Sofia Muñoz-Medina, Miguel Antonio Sánchez-Cárdenas, Vilma Adriana Tripodoro","doi":"10.1177/26323524261435130","DOIUrl":"10.1177/26323524261435130","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Interdisciplinary networking among palliative care teams can extend beyond the healthcare setting, fostering network research and other activities that facilitate collaboration with diverse individuals and institutions. In Argentina and Colombia, notable models exemplify the potential of palliative care networking.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To identify and compare the networking practices of palliative care teams in four Argentine institutions with the principles of the Colombian palliative care network model.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Descriptive qualitative study grounded in a conceptual framework of network thinking.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Participatory observation, discussion groups, and individual interviews were conducted with palliative care teams from Argentine institutions affiliated with the Pallium Latin America Institute. The principles underlying the palliative care network model designed in Colombia were analyzed in relation to those observed in Argentina.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Four institutions participated, including two public hospitals in Buenos Aires and two private hospitals in Mar del Plata and Córdoba. Evidence of networking was found in day-to-day activities and collaborative research conducted nationally and internationally through RED-InPal. Autonomy, collaboration, adaptability, and innovation (pillars of network thinking) were reflected in the principles guiding the Colombian model. Each team engages in networking activities, and team participation in research was seen as a significant effort toward achieving long-term sustainability.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Multiple networks exist that can be established in palliative care services, forming a broad and interconnected network. Governance, dynamism, interaction, participation, sustainability, and identity are key pillars that support the ongoing strengthening of collaborative palliative care networks.</p>","PeriodicalId":36693,"journal":{"name":"Palliative Care and Social Practice","volume":"20 ","pages":"26323524261435130"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13562844/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148956152","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Exploring what matters to patients and caregivers through their experiences.","authors":"Elisa Zambetti, Simone Belli, Clara Mucci, Andrea Greco","doi":"10.1177/26323524261474107","DOIUrl":"10.1177/26323524261474107","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a rare neurodegenerative disease the causes of which are not fully understood, that leads to early death. From the diagnosis, ALS significantly impacts the quality of life (QoL) for patients and their caregivers due to its unique characteristics. Both patients and their caregivers, formal and informal, increasingly feel the need to share their experiences, communicate their needs, and talk about what living with ALS entails.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Given the few studies available in the literature on this topic, the study's aim is to explore the significance of ALS for patients and caregivers through their testimonies and to identify the collective representations and symbolic categories that influence their lives.</p><p><strong>Design and methods: </strong>A total of 118 spontaneous written texts (67 produced by women) (81.752 tokens, TTR index=0.145; H% index=54.6%) collected from the web, from 67 ALS patients, 41 informal and 10 formal caregivers, were analyzed using the Emotional Text Mining (ETM) technique, with the T-Lab Software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Four communication axes were identified: management of the disease (34.25%; physical vs. emotional), care (26.58%; technological vs. relational), support (21.39%; self-directed vs. social), and effort (17.78%; personal and institutional). The five clusters positioned in this factorial space relate to disease onset (12.29%), difficulties (30.78%), medical examinations (29.39%), coping strategies (14.79%), and needs (18.75%). There are differences between genders and groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The interpretation of the results enables an understanding of the cultural-symbolic system of ALS patients and caregivers, as well as the impact of the disease on their QoL. Through this, personalized interventions can be designed to promote resources and psychological well-being.</p>","PeriodicalId":36693,"journal":{"name":"Palliative Care and Social Practice","volume":"20 ","pages":"26323524261474107"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13554604/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148920767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Associations between sociodemographic factors, experience of death and dying, and death literacy: A nationally representative cross-sectional study.","authors":"Melanie F J Diggle, Therese Johansson, Joanna M Davies, Kate Heaps, Katherine E Sleeman","doi":"10.1177/26323524261473937","DOIUrl":"10.1177/26323524261473937","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Death literacy is the knowledge and skills that enable people to navigate and act on end-of-life issues, and underpins public health approaches to palliative and end-of-life care. Nationally representative evidence on factors associated with death literacy remains limited.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To measure death literacy in adults and examine associations with sociodemographic characteristics and experiential exposure.</p><p><strong>Design and methods: </strong>A cross-sectional online survey of a nationally representative United Kingdom (UK) sample (n = 2,106), completing the Death Literacy Index-Revised (DLI-R) and providing sociodemographic and contextual information. Weighted data were analysed using descriptive statistics and linear regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean DLI-R score was 6.01 (SD = 1.85). The Experiential Knowledge scale had the highest score (7.15, SD = 1.98), while Accessing Help had the lowest (5.16, SD = 2.64). Compared to no experiential exposure, personal/family exposure (B = 0.69, 95% CI 0.53, 0.85) and professional/volunteer exposure (B = 1.38, 95% CI 1.14, 1.63) were significantly associated with higher DLI-R scores. Adults aged 25-34 scored higher than those aged 65+ (B = 0.45, 95% CI 0.18, 0.71). Compared to the married group, the 'single and never married' group (B = -0.61, 95% CI -0.82, -0.41) had lower DLI-R scores. There were ethnic differences in scores, with Black/Black British people found to have higher death literacy compared to the reference group of White/White British people (B = 0.71, 95% CI 0.35, 1.08).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study identified gaps in UK death literacy with findings highlighting that death literacy is shaped mostly by personal and professional experience. Public health approaches that promote community learning, and clearer support pathways, may help address these gaps. Further work is needed to identify effective ways to strengthen death literacy at a population level.</p>","PeriodicalId":36693,"journal":{"name":"Palliative Care and Social Practice","volume":"20 ","pages":"26323524261473937"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13546418/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148901185","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Quality of life and its association with anxiety, depression, and clinical factors among patients with metastatic cancer attending oncology centers in Northwest Ethiopia.","authors":"Fasil Bayafers Tamene, Tirsit Ketsela Zeleke, Endalamaw Aschale Mihiretie, Shimelis Engida Tesema, Abdisa Gemedi Jara, Getachew Yitayew Tarekegn, Samuel Berihun Dagnew, Fisseha Nigussie Dagnew, Bantayehu Addis Tegegne, Wubetu Yihunie Belay, Ashenafi Kibret Sendekie, Samuel Agegnew Wondm","doi":"10.1177/26323524261484980","DOIUrl":"10.1177/26323524261484980","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Enhancing quality of life (QoL) is the primary aim of palliative care and a key endpoint in oncology research.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to assess the QoL and its association with anxiety, depression, and clinical factors among patients with metastatic cancer attending oncology centers in Northwest Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted among 290 cancer patients with metastasis who were receiving treatment at oncologic centers in Northwest Ethiopia from August to October 2023.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Study participants were enrolled using the consecutive sampling method. QoL was measured using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale - Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the determinants of QoL. Variables with a P-value < 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval were considered statistically significant.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In this study, the mean scores for physical health, psychological health, social relationships, environmental health, and overall QoL were 26.74±10.09, 30.46±12.03, 34.48±13.97, 37.64±14.06, and 31.17±6.51, respectively. The overall QoL had a negative significant association with poor performance status (β = -2.52; 95% CI: -4.35, -0.69), presence of comorbidity (β = -2.46; 95% CI: -4.03, -0.90), depression (β = -3.17; 95% CI: -4.76, -1.59), anxiety (β = -1.99; 95% CI: -3.38, -0.47), and poor social support (β = -2.52; 95% CI: -4.43, -0.61).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The physical health domain of QoL had the lowest mean score. Poor performance status, the presence of comorbidity, depression, anxiety, and poor social support were the determinants of overall QoL. Hence, it is essential to focus on treatments that enhance physical health, improve poor performance status, manage comorbidities, alleviate depression and anxiety, and strengthen social support.</p>","PeriodicalId":36693,"journal":{"name":"Palliative Care and Social Practice","volume":"20 ","pages":"26323524261484980"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13530522/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148876192","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"How should we evaluate the impact and implementation of palliative care education programs? The Pallium Canada experience.","authors":"Jose Pereira, Shera Hosseini, Christopher A Klinger, Holly Finn, Jonathan Sherbino, Michelle Howard","doi":"10.1177/26323524261479750","DOIUrl":"10.1177/26323524261479750","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Considerable effort and resources are invested in developing, implementing, and sustaining educational programs in palliative care, making evaluation an important component of these programs. Several frameworks, models and approaches are available to palliative care educators to inform their evaluation, and accompanying research activities. This paper describes the process used to develop a practical evaluation framework for Pallium Canada's educational programs. The objective was not to produce another comprehensive review of evaluation frameworks, as several reviews already existed, but rather to identify a practical and fit-for-purpose evaluation approach that could be implemented rapidly across Pallium Canada's expanding educational initiatives. A multiphase, multipronged approach was used, which included an environmental scan and input from a panel of national and international education and evaluation experts. Several trends in education evaluation were identified, including: a need to a) evaluate impact beyond learner feedback and acquisition of competencies, b) evaluate implementation alongside impact and outcomes, and c) approach education evaluation from a complexity lens. Twenty-one frameworks (including models and approaches) were shortlisted (and are summarized in the paper). They are organized in four categories based on their focus: a) Impact; b) Implementation; c) Economic evaluation; and d) Combinations. Several additional concepts, including pragmatism, quality improvement, and theories of change serve as useful lenses with which to approach evaluation. The final framework incorporates two main frameworks, namely the New World Kirkpatrick Model and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. It also draws elements from other frameworks and approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":36693,"journal":{"name":"Palliative Care and Social Practice","volume":"20 ","pages":"26323524261479750"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13519215/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148841508","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Self-assessed palliative care competence of healthcare professionals in a Finnish university hospital: A mixed methods study.","authors":"Leena Vuolteenaho, Minna Hökkä, Eeva Rahko, Tarja Pölkki, Mira Rajala","doi":"10.1177/26323524261480156","DOIUrl":"10.1177/26323524261480156","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>While the need for palliative care (PC) is growing, both national and international studies have shown insufficient PC competence among healthcare professionals. Good PC both reduces healthcare costs and promotes quality of life. It is therefore necessary to examine the current state of healthcare professionals' level of PC competence and identify the areas in particular need of improvement.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To describe the self-assessed PC competence of healthcare professionals working in a university hospital, and to study which background factors are associated with it, in order to identify areas of PC requiring improvement and further education.</p><p><strong>Design and methods: </strong>This mixed methods study with a convergent design was conducted in one hospital in Finland in 2024. The participants (n=100) were asked to rate their self-assessed PC competence using a 30-item instrument developed for the study. The data were analysed using both quantitative (descriptive statistics, comparisons between groups) and qualitative (inductive content analysis) methods.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Healthcare professionals' self-assessed PC competence was \"Good\" or above in 18/30 items. Nurses and physicians generally rated their competence higher than did those representing other professions; competence was rated the highest in Oncology and in General Medicine and Geriatrics, respectively. Work experience in healthcare overall did not correlate with the level of competence, whereas experience in PC specifically did. In the open-ended responses, participants identified factors that promote, hinder, or otherwise impact self-assessed competence.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>PC competence was considered important, and 18/30 items were rated \"Good\" or \"Very good\". However, the study revealed areas potentially in need of improvement and more education, both indirectly as lower scores for self-assessed competence and directly as comments provided by the participants. To provide high-quality PC, more education is required especially concerning advance care planning, guardianship, and multiprofessional cooperation. Further research is needed regarding competence among representatives of different professions.</p>","PeriodicalId":36693,"journal":{"name":"Palliative Care and Social Practice","volume":"20 ","pages":"26323524261480156"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13519223/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148841534","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nurses' knowledge and practice towards home palliative care of elderly patients.","authors":"Omar Ghazi Baker, Fahda Hamdi Alrasheedi, Asma Makid Almutairi, Raghad Saleh Alluhebi, Norah Ali Hamid Al Dhafer","doi":"10.1177/26323524261481867","DOIUrl":"10.1177/26323524261481867","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The increasing global elderly population raises concerns about palliative care. Healthcare quality objectives of Saudi Arabian Vision 2030 emphasize this matter as well. This study elaborates on nurses' self-reported knowledge and practices in home-based elderly palliative care.</p><p><strong>Subjects and methods: </strong>The current cross-sectional survey involved 148 nurses registered for home-based elderly palliative care in Saudi Arabia. Two validated instruments measured the knowledge, which included the Palliative Care Knowledge Test (PCKT, 20 items) and the PCKQ-Basic (PCKQ-B, 24 items). The assessment of practices was based on an 18-item Palliative Care Self-Reported Practices Scale (PCPS; score range 1-5). SPSS (v-29) was employed for the data analysis, which included descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, multiple linear regression analyses, and one-way ANOVA at a significance level of p < 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants (n = 148) were predominantly female (72.3%), Saudi nationals (79.1%), aged 30-39 years (60.1%), and held a bachelor's degree (63.5%) with an 11.4 ± 5.9 years of nursing experience. Mean knowledge scores remained low as PCKT 35.0% correct (SD=15.8), and PCKQ-B 44.3% correct (SD=17.6). Contrarily, a high mean self-reported practice score was noted (PCPS 4.1 ± 0.7 out of 5). The total score of multiple linear regression for PCPS' predictors demonstrated PCKQ-B score, older age, higher education level, and more years of experience as significantly positive predictors. The overall model remained significant (p < .001) and explained 22.1% of the variance (adjusted <i>R</i> ^<i>2</i> = 0.221).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Saudi nurses offering home-based elderly palliative care expressed moderate self-report practices with significantly low knowledge of palliative care domains. Higher basic palliative care knowledge (PCKQ-B), higher educational level, older age, and more clinical experience presented an independent association with better self-report practices. The findings of this study highlight critical knowledge deficits and suggest that higher education and accumulated experience could facilitate better self-report palliative care practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":36693,"journal":{"name":"Palliative Care and Social Practice","volume":"20 ","pages":"26323524261481867"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13507645/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148833064","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}