Nurses' perspectives on the personal and professional impact of providing nurse-led primary palliative care in outpatient oncology settings

Background: Palliative care (PC) workforce shortages have led to a need for primary PC provided by non-specialists. The Care Management by Oncology Nurses (CONNECT) intervention provides infusion room oncology nurses with training and support to provide primary PC. Aims: To describe nurses' perspectives on the personal and professional impact of training and provision of primary PC as part of CONNECT. Methods: This qualitative study consisted of in-depth telephone interviews with 11 nurses at oncology practices in Pennsylvania. Data was analysed using qualitative content analysis. Findings: Nurses reported a sense of personal and professional fulfillment from providing primary PC, while noting the risk of increased emotional attachment to patients. Participation improved nursing communication skills. A supportive workplace helped to minimise stress related to incorporating primary PC into busy treatment schedules. Conclusion: Providing primary PC challenges the task-oriented paradigm of nursing practice and will potentially alter the professional roles and workloads of infusion room nurses.