Assessment of knowledge regarding palliative care among undergraduate nursing students of private nursing colleges, Lahore

Palliative care focuses on improving the quality of life of patients with life-threatening illnesses through holistic, compassionate, and patient-centred approaches. Despite its growing importance, palliative care is often inadequately addressed in undergraduate nursing education, particularly in developing countries like Pakistan. To assess the level of knowledge regarding palliative care among undergraduate nursing students of private nursing colleges in Lahore. A descriptive quantitative study was conducted involving 200 third- and fourth-year nursing students selected through a non-probability convenience sampling method. Data were collected using the validated Palliative Care Assessment Knowledge (PCAK) questionnaire and analysed through SPSS. The majority of students demonstrated moderate knowledge of palliative care; however, considerable gaps were identified in areas such as opioid classification, symptom management, and interdisciplinary team roles. Only 26.5% had attended a formal palliative care course, and 44.5% had no clinical exposure to palliative care settings. Misconceptions were noted regarding the WHO pain ladder and management of specific clinical conditions. The findings highlight an urgent need for curriculum enhancement in nursing education to include structured palliative care training. Increased theoretical instruction and clinical exposure are essential to prepare nursing students for competent end-of-life care. Educational reforms are necessary to bridge the knowledge-practice gap and improve palliative care delivery in Pakistan.