Nurse and provider perceptions of palliative care

Palliative care (PC) improves quality of life, reduces symptom burden, and enhances health care utilization outcomes. Despite strong evidence and generally high provider awareness, PC remains underutilized, and the factors influencing referral patterns aren't fully understood.

To examine nurses' and health care providers' knowledge of and attitudes toward PC and identify potential barriers that may contribute to inconsistent or delayed referrals.

A nonexperimental, descriptive study was conducted using an anonymous online survey that included demographic questions, self-rated knowledge items, and the Palliative Care Knowledge Scale (PaCKS). A convenience sample of 59 hospital-based clinicians completed the survey. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests were used to evaluate knowledge levels and differences across demographic groups.

Participants demonstrated high familiarity with PC and hospice care, with PaCKS scores indicating 97% correct responses. No significant differences in perceived knowledge were found across gender, ethnicity, education, or license type. A significant difference in hospice knowledge across age groups was observed, though post hoc tests didn't confirm specific group differences.

Findings suggest that knowledge gaps may not be the primary barrier to PC utilization. Instead, systemic and cultural factors likely contribute to under-referral. Leadership-driven strategies, including standardized referral processes, enhanced interprofessional education, and supportive clinical environments, may help translate knowledge into consistent practice.