An Appraisal of Nurses’ Involvement in Palliative Care for Cancer Patients at Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo
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Background of the Study
Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2024), cancer accounted for nearly 10 million deaths globally in 2023, with a significant proportion occurring in low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria. The burden of cancer in Nigeria is increasing, with breast, cervical, prostate, and colorectal cancers being the most prevalent (Okafor et al., 2024). Given the chronic and often terminal nature of the disease, palliative care has become an essential component of cancer management, aimed at improving the quality of life of patients through symptom relief, psychological support, and end-of-life care.
Nurses play a crucial role in palliative care, providing both physical and emotional support to cancer patients and their families. They are responsible for pain management, medication administration, emotional counseling, and coordination of care with other healthcare professionals. At Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, nurses are actively involved in palliative care services; however, the extent of their involvement and effectiveness in delivering comprehensive palliative care has not been extensively studied (Adamu & Yusuf, 2023).
Despite the recognized importance of palliative care, several challenges hinder nurses from providing optimal support. These include a lack of specialized training in palliative nursing, inadequate staffing, insufficient medical resources, and emotional burnout (Bello et al., 2024). Additionally, cultural and religious beliefs in Nigeria influence end-of-life care, sometimes leading to resistance against palliative interventions. This study seeks to appraise the level of nurses’ involvement in palliative care at FMC, Jalingo, identify existing gaps, and propose strategies to enhance their role in improving cancer patients' quality of life.
Statement of the Problem
Despite the increasing demand for palliative care in Nigeria due to the rising incidence of cancer, the role of nurses in providing comprehensive palliative care remains underexplored. Research suggests that many nurses in Nigeria do not receive adequate training in palliative care, leading to gaps in pain management, psychological support, and end-of-life decision-making (Ogunleye et al., 2024).
At FMC, Jalingo, nurses are at the frontline of palliative care, yet systemic challenges limit their ability to provide holistic support to cancer patients. The unavailability of essential palliative medications, lack of institutional guidelines, and the emotional toll of caring for terminally ill patients pose significant barriers to effective care (Idris & Adeyemi, 2025). Furthermore, cultural perceptions of death and dying affect the willingness of patients and their families to embrace palliative care interventions.
Given these challenges, there is a need to critically examine how nurses at FMC, Jalingo, are involved in palliative care, assess the factors hindering their effectiveness, and recommend strategies for improving their contribution to cancer management.
Objectives of the Study
- To assess the level of nurses’ involvement in palliative care for cancer patients at FMC, Jalingo.
- To identify the challenges faced by nurses in delivering palliative care services.
- To propose strategies for enhancing the role of nurses in palliative care for cancer patients.
Research Questions
- What is the extent of nurses’ involvement in palliative care for cancer patients at FMC, Jalingo?
- What challenges do nurses encounter in delivering palliative care?
- What strategies can be implemented to improve nurses’ effectiveness in palliative care?
Research Hypotheses
- Nurses' level of involvement significantly influences the quality of palliative care provided to cancer patients.
- Lack of specialized training negatively affects nurses' ability to deliver effective palliative care.
- Enhancing institutional support and training will significantly improve nurses’ effectiveness in palliative care.
Scope and Limitations of the Study
The study focuses on the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, and examines nurses’ roles in palliative care. Limitations may include difficulty in obtaining detailed patient records due to confidentiality policies and nurses' reluctance to discuss emotional challenges.
Definitions of Terms
- Palliative Care – A specialized approach to medical care focused on improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses.
- Cancer – A disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth that can spread to other parts of the body.
- Pain Management – The process of providing medical care that alleviates or reduces pain in patients.
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