Three nurses from Blessing Health System had their research published nationally in the May issue of Nursing Management: The Journal of Excellence in Nursing Leadership. The study, titled “Nurse and Provider Perceptions of Palliative Care,” was conducted by Eydie Tipton, DNP, RN, CCRN, CNML, EBP-CH; Tracy Viers, MSN, APRN, AC-AGCNS, ACHPN; and Chelsea Wilson, MSN, APRN, AGCNS-BC.
The purpose of the research was to examine nurse and healthcare provider knowledge and attitudes toward palliative care and to identify potential barriers that may contribute to inconsistent or delayed referrals. According to the authors’ article, “Despite growing evidence that palliative care improves outcomes and reduces costs, many hospitalized patients with serious illness still die without receiving it.”
Tracy Viers said, “Palliative care is a vital and holistic specialty service within medicine; however, there are many barriers that keep patients from this service, and we wanted to understand why.”
The study included a survey of local nurses and providers. It found that while knowledge about palliative care was widespread among respondents, daily practice barriers contributed to inconsistent referrals for such services.
Chelsea Wilson said, “Early integration of palliative care can enhance quality of life, improve symptom management, and provide meaningful support to patients and families before a crisis occurs. Rather than delaying these services until late in the care process, we should strive to introduce palliative care proactively as part of comprehensive chronic disease management.”
The researchers offered specific organizational strategies for nurse leaders aimed at encouraging greater use of palliative care. These strategies are intended to improve patient outcomes by reducing unnecessary use of healthcare resources and promoting goal-based care. Eydie Tipton concluded, “If this work helps even a few organizations rethink their approach and expand access to palliative care, it will have made a meaningful impact.”
