Self-Efficacy in Palliative Care Among Nursing Professionals: A Mixed-Methods Study.

BACKGROUND

Deficient palliative care coverage and nursing training in Ecuador warrant examining self-efficacy to inform education strategies and strengthen equitable services.

AIM: To examine Ecuadorian nurses' self-efficacy in Palliative Care.

METHODS

A sequential explanatory mixed-methods study was conducted. Convenience samples of nurses completed the Self-Efficacy in Palliative Care Questionnaire and participated in online semi-structured interviews. Descriptive statistics were used for quantitative data. A side-by-side joint display supported integration.

RESULTS

497 nurses completed the questionnaire (90.4% female; 11.47 years of experience). Teamwork scored highest, while communication scored lowest. Eighteen nurses were interviewed (88.8% female; 11.5 years of experience). Participants reported communication difficulties related to emotions, prognosis, denial, collusion of silence and paediatric cases. They expressed strong confidence in pain management but more difficulty with agitation and dyspnoea. Spiritual care was mainly understood as facilitating access to religious figures. Although teamwork was perceived positively, tensions with physicians and an excessive focus on physical aspects were noted.

CONCLUSION

Quantitative and qualitative findings aligned overall, with dissonances regarding psychological and social communication.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Strengthening communication and comprehensive patient management competencies, as well as addressing interdisciplinary tensions, is necessary to improve and consolidate Palliative Care in Ecuador.

REPORTING METHOD: This study adhered to EQUATOR guidelines and used COREQ for qualitative reporting.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.