Role and support needs of nurses in delivering palliative and end of life care.
Nurs Stand
; 36(11): 61-65, 2021 11 03.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1481194
ABSTRACT
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a significant increase in the demand for palliative and end of life care, particularly in the community. Furthermore, palliative and end of life care services face growing pressures due to the increasing number of older people and increasing prevalence of chronic illness. Palliative and end of life care cannot be provided solely by specialists but needs to be integrated into mainstream healthcare. All nurses have a role in supporting patients with life-limiting conditions, and their families, by providing what is termed 'generalist palliative care'. However, some nurses may feel unprepared, unsupported or lacking the confidence and skills for that role. This article explores the definitions of palliative and end of life care, as well as the changes and challenges in service provision brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. It also considers how nurses who have not specialised in this area of practice can be supported to care effectively for patients with life-limiting conditions, and their families, notably through workforce development initiatives such as training programmes and clinical supervision. This could not only increase the skills of the nursing workforce but also improve patient care.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Palliative Care
/
Community Health Nursing
/
Nurse's Role
/
Nurses
/
Nursing Staff
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Aged
/
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Nurs Stand
Journal subject:
Nursing
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Ns.2021.e11789
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