Exploring the perception of Oncology Unit Nurses: Challenges and Barriers to Palliative Care Delivery in Government Hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2024
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Introduction: Nurses spend the most time assisting patients and families with serious illnesses. Understanding their perceptions of challenges in palliative care is crucial for improving patient outcomes. Identifying these barriers allows healthcare organizations to implement targeted interventions and support, enhancing the palliative care environment. Objectives: to explore the Perception of Oncology Unit Nurses on the challenges and barriers to palliative care delivery in government hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: A descriptive phenomenological approach was employed to explore the perceptions of oncology unit nurses regarding the challenges and barriers they face in providing palliative care in governmental hospitals. Participants were purposefully selected based on their years of experience in the oncology unit, resulting in a total of 14 nurses included until data saturation was reached. The data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis, which involved identifying and examining patterns or themes within the data. Result : Data analysis revealed five key themes and thirteen subthemes detailing the challenges faced by oncology nurses in palliative care provision. These themes highlighted: insufficient holistic approaches, a deficit in continuing education, inadequate resources, and workplace stress and burnout, and communication barriers. These findings underscore the significant obstacles impacting the delivery of effective palliative care. Conclusion and recommendation: Oncology unit nurses encounter significant challenges, including resource limitations, high emotional demands, burnout risk, and communication barriers. To enhance palliative care delivery, comprehensive training and education are essential. Specifically, oncology nurses need improved skills in core palliative care principles, effective communication, emotional intelligence, and cultural competence.
