Palliative care in patients with non-oncological diseases: Challenges for nursing
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69980/ajpr.v28i5.739Keywords:
Palliative care; Non-cancer patients; Nursing role; chronic illness; Quality of lifeAbstract
: Patients with advanced non-oncological chronic diseases, such as heart failure, COPD, dementia, and chronic kidney disease, have complex palliative care needs that are often unrecognized and inadequately addressed. These gaps in care compromise their quality of life and symptom control.
Objective: This systematic review aims to synthesize the available evidence on the delivery of palliative care in non-cancer patients and highlight the contributions and challenges faced by nursing professionals in these contexts.
Methods: A comprehensive search was performed across PubMed, Scielo, and Web of Science databases using Boolean operators. Inclusion criteria included peer-reviewed articles from 2010 to 2025 addressing palliative care in non-oncological populations. Exclusion criteria included studies focused solely on cancer, editorials, and protocols. Seventeen articles were selected and analyzed.
Results: The findings reveal significant barriers to access, lack of early integration, limited institutional protocols, and insufficient nursing training. However, the evidence underscores the pivotal role of nurses in symptom management, patient-centered communication, and care coordination.
Conclusion: Enhancing palliative care in non-cancer conditions requires early intervention, standardized protocols, and greater institutional support. Strengthening nursing education and integrating multidisciplinary collaboration are key strategies to improve patient outcomes in this vulnerable population.
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