Question

Oncology nurses affect patient care at every point along the cancer journey. This creates the perfect opportunity to educate patients and caregivers about palliative care early and often throughout treatment. However, healthcare providers frequently do not have the knowledge and confidence to engage in meaningful conversations about palliative care. OBJECTIVES: The specific aims were to improve oncology nurses' palliative care knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors by providing a palliative care nursing education program. An additional aim was to increase the number of conversations with patients and families about palliative care. METHODS: This project had a pre-/post-test design to assess knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors at baseline and one month after implementation of an established education curriculum. The teaching strategy included one four-hour class for oncology RNs with topics about the definition of palliative care, pain and symptom management, and how to have palliative care conversations. FINDINGS: Results showed a statistically significant difference after the educational intervention for knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. The number of conversations with patients and caregivers about palliative and end-of-life care increased significantly.

A research study in contemporary nursing practice that identifies education, knowledge, skills, and behaviors, and their impact on patient care. The intervention in this research was based on palliative education to a group of oncology nurses. The premise of the intervention was to positively impact the nurse’s knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors and increase the ability to engage in conversation with patients and their families. The results were significant in increasing knowledge, cultural needs, and preparedness of the nurses to confront palliative care needs. This research article is an example of how education and life-long learning play a significant role in the development of competencies in contemporary nursing practice.     

How do nursing competencies, and continuing education, play a role in positive patient outcomes, and what is the importance of lifelong learning in nursing practice?

Answer 1

The nurses play an important role in the management of cancer patients especially in palliative care. The terminal stage of cancer patients should be dealt with compassion, care and an effort to make the remaining days of life easier for the patient. The main problem will be the excruciating pain in the terminal stage of cancer. The pain alleviating medicines like morphine as prescribed by the physician should be administered at regular intervals. The one side effect of this medication is constipation which has to be addressed to the physician and proper measures to be taken to avoid the discomfort.

The problem with feeding will be there in the terminal stages. The problem of feeding can be cleared by using nasogastric tube or feeding gastrostomy or jejunostomy.

All the emotional support and care should be given to the patient especially from family. The near and dear of the patient should be educated regarding this concern.

All the symptoms that make the patient in discomfort should be relieved by medication or any procedures.