Exploration of nurses' knowledge and perceptions regarding palliative care in the oncology context in Morocco

Despite the growing need for palliative care, limited evidence exists on Moroccan nurses' knowledge and perceptions in this field, representing a critical gap that may affect the quality of patient care. Addressing this gap is essential to ensure effective palliative care delivery. Therefore, this study aimed to assess Moroccan nurses' knowledge and perceptions of palliative care and to identify factors influencing their competencies in this area.

A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among Moroccan nurses between April 2023 and April 2024. An anonymized online questionnaire (Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing) was distributed. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with R/RStudio and Excel software.

A total of 480 nurses participated in the study. Overall, nurses demonstrated limited knowledge of palliative care, with a mean score of 5.6/20, corresponding to a 28.53 % correct response rate, particularly low in the psychological and spiritual dimensions. Independent predictors of a higher level of knowledge included male gender (OR = 5.46, p < 0.001), professional experience exceeding 16 years (OR = 2.12, p = 0.001), and training in oncology or palliative care (OR = 3.53, p = 0.006).

The study reveals a low level of palliative care knowledge among nurses in Morocco, despite institutional efforts. It recommends the early integration of palliative care into health systems, the development of multidisciplinary teams, access to essential medications, and the creation of educational programs tailored to low-resource settings.