Empowering nurses to provide palliative care for COPD patients in a pulmonary department: participatory action research

BackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects the quality of life of patients and their caregivers. Although palliative care can improve quality of life, COPD patients and their caregivers have limited access to palliative care services. This study was conducted to empower nurses to provide palliative care to COPD patients in the pulmonary department.MethodsThis participatory action research (PAR) was conducted in four steps: observation, reflection, planning, and action. Participants included all nurses (n = 18) who provided PC to COPD patients in the pulmonary department. The research team, physicians and managers, and a multiprofessional palliative care team formed the core PAR team. The data were collected via PCKT, FATCOD-B, and PCPS questionnaires about palliative care, interviews, focus groups, and observation. Qualitative content analysis and paired t-tests were used for data analysis.ResultsThree major themes emerged: professional incompetence in palliative care, basic shortages in palliative care, and a lack of professional support. Three changes were made including enhancing palliative care knowledge, establishing a palliative care team, and increasing career motivation. There were significant increases in PCKT, FATCOD-B, and PCPS scores before and after PAR (p = 0.000).ConclusionGiven the importance of providing palliative care, necessary measures, including PC training, and promoting inter professional collaboration and as well as motivating staff, should be taken by health managers.