The Feasibility of Home Palliative Care for Cancer Patients: The Perspective of Iranian Nurses

Abstract

Background: Cancer is one of the major health challenges that requires palliative care. Home care is one of the most desirable palliative care models. The implementation of any model of care requires the assessment of the views of the service providers and as nurses represent most of the manpower providing home care, their point of view should be considered. Objectives: This research aimed at investigating nurses’ views on the feasibility of home palliative care in Iran. Methods: In this descriptive study, 196 nurses were selected purposefully from all over Iran and filled out demographic information and the Global Home Health Nursing Care Assessment questionnaires. Data analysis was performed, using SPSS software version 20. Results: According to the opinion of the nurses, in order to provide home palliative care for patients with cancer, there is social acceptability and relative satisfaction regarding access to medications, equipment, and pain management. However, lack of access to end-of-life services and hospices as well as achieving educational opportunities are amongst the most important obstacles to the implementation of this kind of care. Conclusions: By having proper planning to promote home palliative care, using the existing potentials as well as applying functional changes to the nursing curriculum at Bachelor’s level, home palliative care can be developed for patients with cancer.