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District nurses' perceptions of palliative care at home
Nursing Times
|October 9, 1996
Summary
District nurses desire high-quality terminal care but face challenges like heavy caseloads and symptom management. Palliative care teams are valued, yet enhanced education and communication are needed.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Palliative Care
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- District nurses (DNs) play a crucial role in providing terminal care.
- Understanding their experiences and needs is vital for improving end-of-life care.
- Palliative care teams offer specialized support but their integration with district nursing requires examination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore district nurses' experiences with terminal care.
- To assess district nurses' views on palliative care teams.
- To identify perceived educational needs in palliative care among district nurses.
Main Methods:
- A postal survey was conducted among 148 district nurses.
- The survey achieved a high response rate of 87%.
- Data included experiences, views on palliative care teams, and educational needs.
Main Results:
- District nurses expressed a strong desire to provide high-quality terminal care.
- Key stressors included large caseloads, time constraints, and difficulties managing complex symptoms.
- High satisfaction was reported with palliative care teams, alongside identified needs for further education and improved communication.
Conclusions:
- District nurses face significant challenges in delivering terminal care.
- Palliative care teams are perceived positively, but their effectiveness can be enhanced.
- Targeted education and improved communication strategies are essential to support district nurses in end-of-life care.