The use of games by nurses in palliative care: a scoping review

Background: Nursing is at the forefront of palliative care. Games are an innovative strategy in palliative care training. Aims: This study aimed to examine the usefulness of games for nurses in palliative care. Methods: A scoping review was conducted using the following databases: CINAHL and PUBMED (which includes MEDLINE, PsycINFO, SCOPUS and SciELO). The steps outlined by the Joanna Briggs Institute were followed. Findings: Of the 685 articles initially identified, 17 were included for analysis. Games used were role-play (n=12), card games (n=1), digital games (n=1), board games (n=1), reflection games (n=1) and experimental games (n=1). Games were aimed at nurses (n=6) and nursing students (n=11). Game advantages included: improved palliative care knowledge, increased communication skills, reduced negative emotions and increased multidisciplinary team skills. Conclusions: Effective and innovative pedagogical techniques are required training techniques for nurses and nursing students who provide palliative care, as they can reduce negative emotions such as fear, anguish and guilt.