Dying to Know: Advancing Palliative Care Nursing Competence with Education in Elderly Health Settings

Abstract

This paper explores the benefits of using education as one means to advance palliative care competence for nurses. Key groups and the influences they generate in relation to this topic will be identified. A literature search using key words was conducted revealing numerous educational initiatives and approaches have been developed to improve palliative care. Benefits include improved nursing knowledge, confidence and competence which directly correlate with improved patient outcomes. Palliative care is no longer the sole domain of specialised providers such as Hospices. Accompanying the shift of palliative care from Hospices to varied health care providers globally, are disparities in care provision. The literature suggests that reasons for such disparities include insufficient specialised palliative care knowledge and skills of nurses to effectively deliver this care within generalist health settings and lack of information for caregivers. In response, approaches aimed at improving palliative care include reviewing, redefining and implementing nursing roles, education courses, and theoretical frameworks to inform practice and improve outcomes. This paper focuses on the benefits of offering tailored palliative care education in work settings to improve patient care. One entrepreneurial education initiative aimed at advancing palliative nursing and which is currently being implemented in aged care contexts will be shared. Careful strategic planning and working more collaboratively between all stakeholders, is strongly recommended in order to manage current and future challenges. Advancing palliative nursing care using appropriate education is achievable and beneficial but is fraught with complexities.