Gender Differences in Palliative Care Experience and Quality Perceptions Among Cancer Patients in Saudi Arabia: Implications for Nursing Practice.

Gender shapes healthcare experiences, yet its influence on palliative care (PC) in Middle Eastern contexts remains under-researched. Understanding how male and female patients differently experience PC is essential for delivering gender-sensitive nursing care. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 cancer patients recruited from healthcare facilities in Saudi Arabia. PC quality perceptions were measured using the Palliative Care Experience and Quality Questionnaire (PCEQQ), assessing communication, symptom management, emotional support, and overall quality. Independent-samples t-tests compared mean scores between male (n = 99) and female (n = 101) participants. Chi-square tests and logistic regression examined gender differences in access and associated factors. Female patients reported significantly higher overall satisfaction (M = 4.12 vs. M = 3.85, p = 0.008) and communication quality (M = 4.10 vs. M = 3.65, p = 0.002) compared to males. Females also demonstrated greater PC awareness (69.3% vs. 47.5%, p = 0.008) and access rates (64.4% vs. 47.5%, p = 0.013). Emotional support ratings approached significance, favoring females (p = 0.052), while symptom management showed no significant gender differences. These findings suggest that gender significantly shapes the PC experience in Saudi Arabia, with the most robust disparity appearing in provider, patient communication. Nurses should adopt gender-sensitive strategies to bridge the engagement gap for male patients, who may face cultural barriers to accessing supportive care.