The three main competencies of every healthcare professional within palliative care - a descriptive study

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the three main competencies that every healthcare professional working within palliative care should have, according to the perspective of another professional body working within palliative care. Design: A descriptive qualitative study. Methods: The data were collected from physicians, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and professional stakeholders by means of an electronic survey in 2018. The data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: The three most important competencies of every healthcare professional working within palliative care were considered to be advance care planning; symptom management; and communication and psychosocial support for patients and their significant others. Advance care planning and symptom management were the main competencies expected from physicians. Symptom management and communication, psychosocial and existential support for patients and their significant others were the main competencies expected from nurses and practical nurses. Conclusion: The findings can be utilized in the education of palliative nursing and medicine to ensure a palliative approach and symptom management in an adequate time frame as well as communication and psychosocial and existential support. The findings offer clues for understanding the roles of the multi-professional team and for competence development through multi-professional continuing education within palliative care.