Barriers to ideal palliative care in multiple care settings: the nurses' point of view.

Abstract

Nurses and certified nursing assistants (CNA) have a crucial role in 24/7 continuity of palliative care for many vulnerable patients and families, however, their perspective has been largely omitted in reported barriers to palliative care. To describe barriers to ideal palliative care that are specific to nurses and CNAs working in all care settings. A cross-sectional, online survey was distributed to members of the Dutch Nurses' Association. Almost 50% of the participating 2377 nurses and CNAs experienced more than five barriers to ideal palliative care in their work situation; nurses and CNAs employed in regional hospitals, mental healthcare and nursing home settings encountered more barriers than those working in other settings. The three most common barriers were: lack of proactive care planning, lack of internal consultation possibilities and lack of assessment of care recipients' preferences and needs for a seamless transition to another setting.