Exploring nurses experiences in delivering palliative care to patients with advanced cancer

Palliative care is crucial in comprehensive cancer care, but there is limited qualitative evidence on nurses' experiences providing it to advanced cancer patients in Saudi Arabia, where cultural and religious values significantly impact end-of-life care. Gaining insight into these experiences is vital for creating tailored strategies to enhance palliative care practices and support nurses in this field.

Nurses who provide palliative care to patients with advanced cancer took part in a qualitative descriptive study. Participants were recruited purposively. Data were collected in four focus group discussions (FGDs) totaling 24 nurses; sessions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Using an inductive thematic approach, researchers iteratively coded and categorized the transcripts, developing overarching themes and subthemes through team consensus.

Data analysis yielded five key themes in palliative care: (1) preserving dignity through holistic palliative care; (2) navigating multidimensional professional responsibilities throughout the illness trajectory; (3) delivering holistic nursing care integrated with physical, emotional, and spiritual support; (4) balancing compassionate care with emotional and organizational challenges; and (5) envisioning a stronger palliative care system through education, collaboration, and public awareness. Nurses emphasize person-centered care that includes advocacy, coordination, and culturally sensitive communication, while acknowledging emotional challenges and the need for improved organizational support and public awareness.

Nurses view palliative care as a holistic, person-centered practice, but emotional, communication, educational, and organizational barriers impede consistent delivery of high-quality end-of-life care. Overcoming these obstacles requires coordinated interventions: targeted education to strengthen clinical and communication skills; organizational reforms; policies that integrate palliative care across the illness trajectory; and public awareness initiatives aligned with cultural and religious values.