Nurse-Led Culturally Adapted Palliative and End-of-Life Training for Oncology Nurses in Oman

Effectiveness of a Nurse-Led, Culturally Adapted Palliative and End-of-Life Training Program (N-PELTP) for Oncology Nurses: A Quasi-Experimental Controlled Study

This study evaluated a nurse-led, culturally adapted training program in palliative and end-of-life care (N-PELTP) for oncology nurses in Oman. Nurses in the intervention group received the structured training program, while a comparison group continued usual practice during the same period. Outcomes were assessed using questionnaires completed before and after the intervention to measure palliative care knowledge, attitudes toward caring for dying patients, self-reported palliative care practices, and communication-related outcomes. The goal of the study was to determine whether a culturally adapted educational program can improve oncology nurses' readiness to deliver palliative and end-of-life care.

Palliative and end-of-life care requires skilled nursing communication, symptom management knowledge, and culturally sensitive approaches to care. In many settings, oncology nurses report variable preparation and limited training opportunities in palliative and end-of-life care. This quasi-experimental controlled pretest-posttest study assessed the effectiveness of a nurse-led, culturally adapted palliative and end-of-life training program (N-PELTP) implemented in oncology settings in Oman.

Eligible participants were registered oncology nurses providing direct patient care. The intervention group participated in a structured training program delivered over a defined period, while a comparable control group did not receive the training during the study period. Outcomes were assessed using validated tools at baseline (pre-intervention) and after completion of the intervention (post-intervention). The primary objective was to evaluate change in palliative care knowledge. Secondary objectives included changes in attitudes toward caring for dying patients, self-reported palliative care practices, and communication outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Registered nurses working in participating oncology/cancer care settings in Oman
• Providing direct clinical care to patients with cancer
• Employed at the study site during the study period and expected to remain for the duration of the intervention and follow-up assessments
• Aged 18 years or older
• Able to read and understand the study materials and questionnaires
• Willing to participate and provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Nursing students, interns, or non-registered nursing staff
• Nurses not providing direct patient care (e.g., administrative/managerial roles without bedside clinical duties)
• Nurses on extended leave during the intervention or follow-up period (e.g., annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave)
• Nurses who did not complete the baseline (pre-intervention) assessment