“A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY ON KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF PALLIATIVE CARE AMONG ONCOLOGICAL NURSES IN PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN”

Abstract

Background: Palliative care is an important part of oncology nursing aimed at relieving suffering and improving quality of life for cancer patients but its implementation in reality is uneven in many healthcare settings.

Objective: The objective if this study was to evaluate palliative care knowledge and clinical practice among oncological nurses at tertiary hospital in Peshawar as well uncover important determinant of outcomes.

Materials and Methods: A quantitative cross sectional conducted from January to June 2025 at tertiary setting in Peshawar. Data were gathered utilizing a structure validated questionnaire after approval from IRB of Iqra national University Peshawar. Non probability purposive sampling technique was used for a total sample size of 100 oncological nurses. Statistics analysis included descriptive statistics, chi square test and regression analysis to examine relations and predictors analyzed via SPSS version 30.

 Results; The findings indicated that 45% of the responders displayed excellent knowledge, while remaining 45% demonstrated intermediate, and 10% low understanding. Practice ratings were generally high, notable in pain management (mean=4.5), and emotional support (mean=4.3), with worse performance in end of life talks. Regression analysis found a substantial positive certification between knowledge and practice score (β = +2.5, p<0.001), accounting for 22% of the knowledge variation. Knowledge and experience together accounted for 35% of the variation in practice behavior.

Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of advance practice, degree and clinical experience in enhancing palliative care knowledge and practice as well as the necessity for planned educational interventions in cancer care settings