Background of the Study
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, with significant social, psychological, and physical consequences for patients. In Nigeria, cancer cases are on the rise, with many patients diagnosed at advanced stages due to inadequate screening, lack of awareness, and delayed treatment (Afolabi & Hassan, 2023). As the disease progresses, patients often experience significant pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. Palliative care, which focuses on providing relief from symptoms, pain, and improving the quality of life for patients with life-limiting illnesses, is essential in managing the final stages of cancer (WHO, 2024).
Nurses play a pivotal role in providing palliative care, delivering physical, emotional, and psychological support to cancer patients and their families. Nurse-led palliative care programs, which include symptom management, pain relief, counseling, and end-of-life care, have been shown to improve the quality of life for cancer patients by addressing their multidimensional needs (Eze & Bello, 2024). At Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Katsina, nurses are involved in providing palliative care to cancer patients, but the effectiveness of their interventions in improving patient outcomes remains under-researched.
This study aims to assess the impact of nurse-led palliative care programs on the quality of life of cancer patients at FMC Katsina. The findings will help improve palliative care practices and guide the development of policies to better support cancer patients and their families.
Statement of the Problem
While palliative care has been shown to improve the quality of life of cancer patients, it remains underutilized in many parts of Nigeria due to limited resources, lack of trained healthcare professionals, and inadequate awareness (Musa & Ibrahim, 2023). Nurses at FMC Katsina are engaged in delivering palliative care, but the absence of empirical evidence on the impact of nurse-led palliative care programs hinders the optimization of these services. This gap in knowledge prevents the formulation of effective strategies to enhance the care provided to cancer patients, limiting improvements in their quality of life.
This study aims to fill this gap by evaluating the impact of nurse-led palliative care programs on the quality of life of cancer patients at FMC Katsina, providing insights into improving palliative care services in the region.
Objectives of the Study
1. To assess the impact of nurse-led palliative care programs on the quality of life of cancer patients at FMC Katsina.
2. To identify the factors that contribute to the success of nurse-led palliative care programs.
3. To recommend strategies for improving nurse-led palliative care services to enhance the quality of life of cancer patients.
Research Questions
1. How do nurse-led palliative care programs impact the quality of life of cancer patients at FMC Katsina?
2. What factors contribute to the success of nurse-led palliative care programs?
3. What strategies can be implemented to improve nurse-led palliative care services?
Research Hypotheses
1. Nurse-led palliative care programs significantly improve the quality of life of cancer patients.
2. The success of nurse-led palliative care programs is influenced by factors such as patient-family communication and pain management.
3. Lack of adequate training and resources limits the effectiveness of nurse-led palliative care programs.
Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study will focus on nurse-led palliative care programs for cancer patients at FMC Katsina. It will assess the impact of these programs on patient quality of life and will not include other healthcare providers' roles in palliative care. Limitations may include variations in patients' perceptions of their quality of life and challenges in accessing comprehensive data due to privacy concerns.
Definitions of Terms
• Palliative Care: Care aimed at providing relief from symptoms and improving the quality of life for patients with life-limiting illnesses.
• Nurse-Led Palliative Care: Palliative care services initiated and managed by nurses, focusing on symptom management and emotional support.
• Quality of Life: The general well-being of patients, including physical, emotional, and social aspects of their lives.
• Cancer Care: Medical and supportive care provided to cancer patients, including treatment, symptom management, and palliative care.
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