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Palliative care is crucial for enhancing the quality of life for terminally ill patients, like those with cancer, but only 14% of those in need receive it, especially in resource-limited areas like Papua New Guinea (PNG). In 2018, PNG reported 7,477 cancer deaths and 11,913 new cases, with a projected 79% increase in patients by 2040. Nurses are vital to palliative care, yet gaps in competencies, particularly in pain management, affect care quality. This study aims to evaluate nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and competencies in palliative care in PNG, considering the unique challenges posed by limited resources and cultural factors. A mixed-method research design was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitative phase involved a survey of 150 registered nurses from two major hospitals in PNG, using simple random sampling. Data were collected via standardized questionnaires assessing knowledge, attitudes, and competencies in palliative care. Qualitative phase included semi-structured interviews with 20 nurses, selected through purposive sampling, to explore their experiences and challenges. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically using NVivo. The study adhered to the GRAMMS checklist to ensure methodological rigor. Nurses demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge in palliative care (mean score = 3.34, SD = 0.69), lowest scores in pain management (mean = 2.82, SD = 0.49). Attitudes toward palliative care were moderately positive (mean = 2.22, SD = 1.12), and high confidence in providing end-of-life care (mean = 4.51, SD = 0.66). Competency levels were modest (mean = 3.59, SD = 0.82), with the highest proficiency in assessing physical symptoms (mean = 4.67, SD = 0.67) and lowest in involving community clergy support (mean = 3.19, SD = 1.01). The study highlights the essential role of nurses in palliative care in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and identifies gaps in knowledge and skills related to pain management. It recommends targeted training, resource allocation, and cultural sensitivity training to improve care delivery. The findings underscore the need for policy development and interdisciplinary collaboration to address challenges in resource-constrained settings.
Sumbou et al. (Thu,) studied this question.