Nurses’ Knowledge Regarding Palliative care of Cancer Patient at Selected Hospital, Dhaka

Background: Cancer remains a critical global health concern, with nearly 10 million new diagnoses annually, underscoring the need for effective palliative care among terminally ill patients. Objective: This study aimed to assess the level of nurses’ knowledge regarding palliative care for cancer patients, identify existing training gaps, and recommend targeted interventions to improve quality of oncology care. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH) in Dhaka between July 2022 and June 2023. Fifty nurses were purposively selected from a target population of 200. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire validated by expert reviewers. Descriptive statistics, including means, standard deviations, and chi-square tests (p<0.05), were applied for analysis. Results: The study found that participants’ mean age was 30.6 (SD = 3.4) years, and 68% had 2–6 years of work experience. Of the 50 nurses, only 8% reported formal palliative care training (p<0.05), correlating with higher knowledge scores. The overall mean knowledge score was 54% (SD = 6.2), with 58% classified as below average and none achieving excellent. Regarding core palliative concepts, 92% knew palliative care addresses quality of life, yet only 38% understood optimal opioid administration routes. Additionally, 44% could identify critical mental stress indicators. Chi-square tests indicated significant associations between formal training and higher knowledge (p=0.02), signifying the importance of targeted educational initiatives to enhance patient-centered cancer care. Conclusion: Focused palliative care training, including pain management and psychosocial support, is vital to elevate nurses’ knowledge. Implementing structured educational programs can significantly improve care for terminally ill patients in Bangladesh.