The Role of Nurse in Palliative Care in Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Palliative care is specialized, holistic care focused on enhancing the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses by managing pain, symptoms, and emotional, spiritual, and psychosocial needs. Methodology: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study to assess the role of nurses in palliative care across tertiary hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan. A stratified random sample of 123 registered nurses with at least one year of clinical experience participated. Data collected captured nurses' practices, perceptions, and challenges, representing diverse healthcare settings, including oncology and geriatrics departments. Result: This study was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan, with 123 nurses (92% response rate) from oncology, geriatrics, and ICU departments. Most were female (70%) with a mean age of 31 years. While 78% showed good knowledge of palliative care, 84% had positive attitudes. Common practices included pain management (68%), but barriers included insufficient training (58%) and resource limitations (35%). Conclusion: This study emphasizes the very important role played by nurses while providing palliative care in the hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan. A majority of nurses showed good knowledge and positive attitude, but significant barriers hinder effective care delivery, such as lack of formal training, lack of adequate manpower, and insufficient resources. Comparisons with national and international studies suggest similar challenges pointing to the same need for an improvement in systemic changes and education at the level of palliative care. Addressing these barriers through targeted training, policy support, and resource allocation can align local practices with global standards, thus improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses in Pakistan.