Nurses' Knowledge And Attitudes Towards Palliative Care In Saudi Oncology Settings: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

This cross-sectional study examined oncology nurses’ knowledge of and attitudes towards palliative care across 10 hospitals in Saudi Arabia using a survey methodology. A convenience sample of 150 oncology nurses completed validated questionnaires assessing palliative care knowledge and attitudes related to cancer pain management, communication, team roles, and practices. Results showed suboptimal knowledge levels with an average score of 57% and identified gaps in understandings of pain assessment, side effect management, and communication strategies. Attitudes were moderately positive though sentiments around use of placebos, prognostication, and physician-dominant decision-making highlighted areas for improved perspectives. Knowledge significantly predicted more positive attitudes while lower experience levels and lack of prior palliative education correlated with reduced knowledge. Study findings underscore the need for tailored palliative care professional development programs in Saudi oncology settings to address knowledge gaps and cultivate more patient-centered palliative philosophies through education, mentoring, and interdisciplinary team training to provide high quality supportive care aligned with national health priorities.