{"title":"A modified systematic review of the impact of cultural beliefs on the acceptability and accessibility of adult palliative care in Tanzania.","authors":"Amelia Breese, Maria Clark, Lesley Halliday","doi":"10.12968/ijpn.2025.31.2.68","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/ijpn.2025.31.2.68","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Palliative care (PC) is recognised by the United Nations as a crucial element of universal health coverage. This article explores the cultural beliefs around the acceptability and accessibility of PC in Tanzania, East Africa.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To provide insight into barriers for the provision of culturally safe PC in this region.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Qualitative studies researching adult perspectives on PC in Tanzania between 2010 and 2022 were critically appraised.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Of 153 studies identified in the initial search, seven met the inclusion criteria. Four key themes were identified: acceptability of PC for recipients; acceptability of PC for providers; accessibility of PC for recipients and accessibility of PC for providers.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Cultural beliefs around the acceptability of PC included shared values for individuals at the end of life and challenges around breaking bad news. Barriers to the accessibility of PC included training opportunities and opioid availability. Further research prioritising 'cultural safety' is necessary to improve PC provision in Tanzania.</p>","PeriodicalId":94055,"journal":{"name":"International journal of palliative nursing","volume":"31 2","pages":"68-80"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143451207","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rebecca Toenne, Ursula Neuhaus, Maike Höcker, Annika Koch, Anke Menzel, Dirk Scharfe, Julia Geffron, Felix Reschke
{"title":"Exploring the viability of telehealth integration into specialised paediatric palliative care.","authors":"Rebecca Toenne, Ursula Neuhaus, Maike Höcker, Annika Koch, Anke Menzel, Dirk Scharfe, Julia Geffron, Felix Reschke","doi":"10.12968/ijpn.2025.31.2.58","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/ijpn.2025.31.2.58","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Specialised outpatient paediatric palliative care (SOPPC) is vital for young people with life-limiting conditions and telehealth integration might improve this care.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>Evaluate the acceptance and challenges of implementing teleconsultations among SOPPC healthcare professionals.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A questionnaire, tailored to various professions in SOPPC, was developed. After pilot testing, it was distributed to all healthcare professionals in SOPPC in the county of Lower Saxony, Northern Germany. Statistical analyses, using descriptive methods, ensured the reliability of the findings.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>The survey involved 96 participants from SOPPC teams. Teleconsultations were perceived as time-saving (physicians (80%), nursing (68%), psychosocial varied), facilitating patient-centred discussions (physicians (87%), nursing staff (72%), psychosocial had varied responses) and maintaining intensive contact during restrictions (85% agreement). Improved team communication (91%) and patient-family communication (physicians (80%), nursing (68%), psychosocial (62%) were perceived benefits. Concerns included language barriers (84%) and technical readiness (80%). While physicians and nursing professionals saw telehealth enhancing patient safety (64-95%), psychosocial professionals were more skeptical (38-62%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study highlights telehealth's potential in SOPPC, stressing the need for tailored strategies. While nursing staff and physicians generally accept telehealth, psychosocial professionals express reservations. Overcoming barriers like language and technical readiness is crucial for maximising telehealth benefits.</p>","PeriodicalId":94055,"journal":{"name":"International journal of palliative nursing","volume":"31 2","pages":"58-67"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143451212","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"End of life and the holiday period.","authors":"Bridget Johnston","doi":"10.12968/ijpn.2025.31.1.3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/ijpn.2025.31.1.3","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94055,"journal":{"name":"International journal of palliative nursing","volume":"31 1","pages":"3-4"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143034887","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Perceived barriers to paediatric palliative care in a Palestinian children's hospital.","authors":"George Ghareeb, Daniel Kelly","doi":"10.12968/ijpn.2025.31.1.40","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/ijpn.2025.31.1.40","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study aimed to identify barriers to paediatric palliative care provision at one Palestinian paediatric hospital, elucidate reasons for the barriers, provide recommendations for enhancing care and identify topics for future research in other low-to middle-income countries.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A mixed-method cross-sectional study, employing both quantitative and qualitative methods was conducted, involving 61 healthcare professionals at a paediatric hospital in Palestine. Data collection consisted of 58 participants completing an electronic survey, while three healthcare professionals participated in semi-structured interviews. Ethical approval was obtained prior to data collection.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study identified significant barriers to paediatric palliative care, categorised into patient-family, healthcare professional and organisational domains. Quantitative data from 58 healthcare professionals revealed family resistance to a palliative prognosis and inadequate training for healthcare professionals, with mean barrier scores ranging from 3.09 to 4.00 (maximum=5.00). Qualitative insights from interviews and open-ended survey questions complemented these findings, highlighting the need for effective communication, educational enhancement and organisational support to improve the quality of care.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study identified barriers to the implementation of effective paediatric palliative care, underscoring the need for emotional support, better clinical guidance, more education and training and stronger interdisciplinary collaboration.</p>","PeriodicalId":94055,"journal":{"name":"International journal of palliative nursing","volume":"31 1","pages":"40-50"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143034822","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maria Catherine I Alvarez, Whindie Clemente, Ronald Joseph A Rillo, Roison Andro Narvaez
{"title":"Creative pathways to comfort: the transformative role of art therapy in palliative and hospice care.","authors":"Maria Catherine I Alvarez, Whindie Clemente, Ronald Joseph A Rillo, Roison Andro Narvaez","doi":"10.12968/ijpn.2025.31.1.18","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/ijpn.2025.31.1.18","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Art therapy offers a creative outlet for patients in palliative and hospice care to express emotions, manage distress and enhance wellbeing by addressing physical, emotional and spiritual challenges.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>This review evaluates the effectiveness, challenges and outcomes of art therapy in improving the quality of life for patients in palliative and hospice care.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An integrative review.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>The review of 27 studies identified four key themes: (1) the effects of art therapy on the quality of life of patients, (2) intervention and patient outcomes, (3) improved wellbeing through self-expression, and (4) challenges in care delivery. Art therapy significantly reduced emotional distress, including anxiety, depression and psychological fatigue, while alleviating physical symptoms, like pain and exhaustion. It fostered emotional expression, personal growth and coping skills, helping patients manage their conditions more effectively. Participants also reported enhanced self-awareness, stronger interpersonal connection and a greater sense of control over their lives, leading to improved emotional and physical wellbeing.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Art therapy provides significant benefits by alleviating emotional and physical distress and enhancing wellbeing. Integrating art therapy into palliative and hospice care supports holistic, patient-centered care, though further research is needed to address access barriers and ensure consistent delivery.</p>","PeriodicalId":94055,"journal":{"name":"International journal of palliative nursing","volume":"31 1","pages":"18-28"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143034884","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ricardo Pedrini Cruz, José Américo Serafim, Daniel Klug, Cledy Eliana Dos Santos
{"title":"Palliative care in the public health system: how do physicians deal with their patients at the end of life?","authors":"Ricardo Pedrini Cruz, José Américo Serafim, Daniel Klug, Cledy Eliana Dos Santos","doi":"10.12968/ijpn.2025.31.1.6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/ijpn.2025.31.1.6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Patients with cancer are referred late to palliative care services (PCS).</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To analyse the time of referral to PCSs and the characteristics of patients that are referred.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective cohort. All patients admitted in a single tertiary care institution were evaluated by the PCSs from February 1, 2018 to January 31, 2019.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Among the 642 patients (557 patients with cancer) referred to PCSs: 7.47% died before evaluation, 13.08% died before transfer, and 15.6% died within 8 days after transfer. Out of all the patients with cancer included in the study, 85.28% had less than 2 months of PCS follow-up during their disease. In the last 30 days of life, 96.26% had were readmitted to hospital. A total of 94.09% of patients with cancer died in a hospital.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings suggest that patients with cancer in Brazil are not referred early enough to PCSs. Early integration with PCS must be sought to improve the accuracy of referral.</p>","PeriodicalId":94055,"journal":{"name":"International journal of palliative nursing","volume":"31 1","pages":"6-16"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143034817","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Perceived stress in end-of-life care: a qualitative study of Iranian nurses' experiences.","authors":"Royani Zahra, Yazdi Khadijeh, Mahmoodi Shen Gholam Reza","doi":"10.12968/ijpn.2025.31.1.30","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/ijpn.2025.31.1.30","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Nurses experience high levels of stress while providing end-of-life care, which puts them under emotional pressure, stress and conflict. Therefore, this study aimed to explain the experiences of nurses during the provision of end-of-life care in Iran.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A qualitative descriptive study conducted using a conventional content analysis approach in Gorgan in 2023. A total of 11 nurses participated in this study, who were selected purposefully with maximum variation. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analysed using the five-step conventional content analysis method of Graneheim and Lundman (2004).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From the data analysis, three categories and seven subcategories emerged. The categories include: 'caring nature', 'structural challenges of the care system' and 'communication challenges'.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Generally speaking, different types of stresses influence the performance of nurses that are involved in end-of-life care. By identifying some of these stressors, nurses, nursing managers and health policymakers can adopt supportive strategies to reduce the perceived stress and, consequently, improve the quality of end-of-life care by reducing the consequences of stress, such as burnout, moral distress and high job turnover.</p>","PeriodicalId":94055,"journal":{"name":"International journal of palliative nursing","volume":"31 1","pages":"30-38"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143034890","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A qualitative study on burnout and coping in palliative nurses.","authors":"Laurence Tan, Lim Siao Ee, Toh Hui Jin","doi":"10.12968/ijpn.2024.30.12.654","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/ijpn.2024.30.12.654","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>With burnout rates highly prevalent in palliative care nurses, it is important to have a holistic understanding of the causes of burnout and strategies both to prevent burnout and to cope with burnout.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To understand the causes of burnout and strategies used to prevent and cope with burnout in palliative care nurses. This would allow the implementation of strategies on a personal level and organisational level to mitigate the effects of burnout.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A thematic analysis to explore palliative care nurses' experiences and their interpretations. In total, 11 in-depth interviews and one focus group discussion with 19 nurses were conducted. The study participants were recruited from three palliative care units within a health cluster in Singapore and had at least 1 year of experience working in palliative care.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Five themes were identified: (a) description of burnout and its attributes; (b) factors that contribute to burnout; (c) triggers that initiate burnout; (d) coping with burnout; and (e) resilience to burnout. The nurses were competent in recognising signs of burnout and understood the use of coping strategies to manage burnout. They were also able to develop resilience to burnout through meaning-making and personal experiences.</p><p><strong>Significance of results: </strong>Helping palliative nurses find a deep purpose in their work builds resilience. Managers, organisation leaders, researchers and peers should look into ways to increase resilience in this group of nurses.</p>","PeriodicalId":94055,"journal":{"name":"International journal of palliative nursing","volume":"30 12","pages":"654-662"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142840364","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: a single institution case series.","authors":"Eswaran Waran, Danielle Bach, Jo-Anne Amos","doi":"10.12968/ijpn.2024.30.12.630","DOIUrl":"10.12968/ijpn.2024.30.12.630","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare neurodegenerative condition. This report presents the largest published case series on the condition. The palliative care symptom burden and management of these patients is considered. Early advanced care planning and goals of care discussions are necessary.</p>","PeriodicalId":94055,"journal":{"name":"International journal of palliative nursing","volume":"30 12","pages":"630-634"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142840514","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
José Tubal Pérez-Pérez, Juan Manuel Vázquez-Sánchez, Irene Martín-Romero, Iñigo de Noriega
{"title":"Nurses' knowledge of paediatric palliative care in a children's hospital.","authors":"José Tubal Pérez-Pérez, Juan Manuel Vázquez-Sánchez, Irene Martín-Romero, Iñigo de Noriega","doi":"10.12968/ijpn.2024.30.12.646","DOIUrl":"10.12968/ijpn.2024.30.12.646","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Effective training of health professionals is essential to end-of-life care.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>To explore the level of knowledge on paediatric palliative care (PPC) of nurses in a children's monographic hospital.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Cross-sectional observational analytical study. A sample of 53 nurses were selected. The translated and validated Spanish version of the Palliative Care Quiz for Nurses was used.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Statistically significant differences (Mann-Whitney U; p=0.0346) were found between the knowledge of nurses in non-PPC-specific wards and nurses working in PPC, with the latter having a higher level of training in PPC (Chi-square; p=0.042).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Professional experience with children with palliative needs and training seems to be related to increased knowledge of palliative care.</p>","PeriodicalId":94055,"journal":{"name":"International journal of palliative nursing","volume":"30 12","pages":"646-652"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142840516","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}