Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 1, 2026
08:38
Novel Production Protocol for Small-scale Manufacture of Probiotic Fermented Foods
Published on: September 10, 2016
25.5K
A palliative care link nurse programme in Mulago Hospital, Uganda: an evaluation using mixed methods
Julia Downing1, Mwazi Batuli2, Grace Kivumbi2
1Makerere University, PO Box 7757, Kampala, Uganda. julia.downing792@btinternet.com.
BMC Palliative Care
|April 10, 2016
Summary
The palliative care link-nurse program significantly boosted nurses' confidence and improved patient care by integrating palliative care (PC) into general hospital services. This model effectively strengthened healthcare systems and expanded access to essential PC for patients with life-limiting illnesses.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Systems Strengthening
- Palliative Care Integration
- Nursing Education and Practice
Background:
- Universal access to palliative care (PC) necessitates integrating PC services and empowering the healthcare workforce.
- In 2010, Mulago Hospital, Uganda, reported 46% of patients had life-limiting illnesses with 96% needing PC.
- The Makerere/Mulago Palliative Care Unit (MPCU) established a link-nurse model to equip hospital nurses with generalist PC skills.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the palliative care link-nurse program at Mulago Hospital.
- To assess the program's role in empowering nurses and integrating PC into general services.
- To determine the program's contribution to health systems strengthening in a resource-limited setting.
Main Methods:
- Mixed-methods evaluation combining qualitative and quantitative data.
- Pre- and post-training confidence assessments, course evaluations, and clinical guideline audits.
- Review of link-nurse activities, patient documentation, and Most Significant Change (MSC) technique, including interviews.
Main Results:
- Nurses showed a significant increase in confidence post-training (p < 0.001).
- Link nurses managed 2113 (86%) of 2447 identified PC patients between July 2012 and December 2013.
- PC patient numbers at the hospital increased from 611 (2011) to 1788 (2013), with 50% of wards utilizing clinical guidelines.
Conclusions:
- The link-nurse program offers a practical model for integrating PC into generalist healthcare services.
- The program effectively strengthens health systems and improves PC delivery in similar contexts.
- Recommendations include ongoing program development and integration into medical and nursing education.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Aims Of Nursing
Nursing involves independent, cooperative, person-centered care for people of all ages, families, groups, and communities. Nurses assist the sick or the well person in all settings. Nursing includes promoting health, preventing illness, and caring for ill, disabled, and dying people. Health promotion encourages people to take responsibility for their health. It focuses on the healthy behavior of individuals, families, and the community and the factors that impact their health. Examples of...
01:26Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
At the different levels of the healthcare system, we see varying methods of healthcare used. These methods include managed care systems, case management, and primary healthcare.
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is limited...
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is limited...
01:25Continuing Care
Continuing care describes the variety of health, personal, and social services provided over a prolonged period. The need for continuing care is increasing because people are living longer. Many people do not have families or others to care for them. Continuing care is mainly for patients who are disabled, functionally dependent, or suffering from a terminal disease. It is available within institutional settings or in homes. Examples include nursing centers or facilities, assisted living,...
01:29Planning Nursing Care II
A nursing care plan can present in two forms: informal and formal. Informal is a care plan for the individual use of the nurse and goals they wish to accomplish during their shift. Informal care plans are not included in the patient chart. A formal nursing care plan is a written or computerized guide that organizes patient care. It is further subdivided into two: standardized and individualized care plans. Standardized care plans are pre-populated care plans for specific patient populations,...
01:15Nursing Evaluation
The evaluation stage signals the end of the nursing process. The nurse gathers evaluative data to assess whether or not the patient has attained the expected results. Whereas the nurse collects data in the nursing assessment to identify the patient's health concerns, the evaluation stage data determines if the indicated health issues are resolved. Evaluative data collection includes two sections: the data acquired to evaluate patient outcomes and the time criteria for data collection.
Section...
Section...
01:29Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
Documentation in long-term care facilities and home healthcare settings is crucial for ensuring continuous, coordinated, and comprehensive care for patients. Each setting has its specific documentation processes and tools:
Long-Term Care Facilities
Long-Term Care Facilities