PALLIATIV VÅRD I SJUKHUSMILJÖ : En allmän litteraturöversikt ur sjuksköterskors perspektiv

Sammanfattning

Background: Palliative care is medical care for patients with severe incurable illnesses where this type of care aims to improve the patients quality of life. This type of medical care includes physical care, emotional care and spiritual assistance in some cases. Nurses in palliative care have an important role but face huge challenges in this field. Aim: To explore the nurses’ experiences in palliative care within hospital settings. Method: Based on ten reviewed scientific literature articles, with eight articles being qualitative, and two were quantitative. Results: Four main categories were lifted up that affect the nurses’ experience in palliative care. Of them are: emotional challenges, ethical challenges, lack of education in regard to palliative care, the role of communication and insufficient organisation structure. To ensure quality care for the patients, it was crucial to have a clear and empathetic communication with patients, families and colleagues. Nurses have also reported distress, emotional burden, especially the resource limited work environment where the organisational infrastructure may be insufficient sometimes. The lack of education for palliative care is also mentioned. Conclusion: Strengthening the nurses’ skills through a continuous education and skill development is a key strategy going forward. It also requires an improved communication training, and a better organisational support to ensure a better care for patients and a better working environment for nurses.