Factors influencing self-efficacy of healthcare professionals towards end-of-life care in acute care settings in Palestine: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Caring for individuals at the end of life is a profound emotional and complex responsibility, especially within acute care settings where healthcare professionals must navigate the delicate balance between administering life-saving treatments and providing end-of-life care. This...

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Main Authors: Mohammed F. Hayek, Baraa F. Shayeb, Jamila Jalal Yaseen, Issa Hashim Othman, Abdulrahman Afif Taha, Amal Bilal Mustafa Naddaf, Mohammed Mays Njedat, Ruba Sayed Saleh, Nizar B. Said, Ahmad Ayed, Loai M. Zabin, Eman Alshawish, Jamal Qaddumi, Imad Thultheen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Nursing
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03516-9
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author Mohammed F. Hayek
Baraa F. Shayeb
Jamila Jalal Yaseen
Issa Hashim Othman
Abdulrahman Afif Taha
Amal Bilal Mustafa Naddaf
Mohammed Mays Njedat
Ruba Sayed Saleh
Nizar B. Said
Ahmad Ayed
Loai M. Zabin
Eman Alshawish
Jamal Qaddumi
Imad Thultheen
author_facet Mohammed F. Hayek
Baraa F. Shayeb
Jamila Jalal Yaseen
Issa Hashim Othman
Abdulrahman Afif Taha
Amal Bilal Mustafa Naddaf
Mohammed Mays Njedat
Ruba Sayed Saleh
Nizar B. Said
Ahmad Ayed
Loai M. Zabin
Eman Alshawish
Jamal Qaddumi
Imad Thultheen
author_sort Mohammed F. Hayek
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Caring for individuals at the end of life is a profound emotional and complex responsibility, especially within acute care settings where healthcare professionals must navigate the delicate balance between administering life-saving treatments and providing end-of-life care. This dual role can create considerable challenges for healthcare providers, many of whom may feel inadequately prepared or lack the confidence to offer the specialized care required in these situations. This study aimed to examine the factors influencing nurses’ self-efficacy in delivering EOLC in Palestinian acute care hospitals, focusing on communication and patient management competencies. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 nurses from governmental hospitals in Nablus, Salfit, and Ramallah, selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire that included demographic information and the validated Self-Efficacy in Palliative Care Scale (SEPC-S), covering communication and patient management domains. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics. Inferential analyses—including Pearson correlation, one-way ANOVA, and stepwise multiple regression—were performed to identify significant relationships and predictors of self-efficacy in EOLC. All statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21.0. Results Nurses reported moderate self-efficacy in EOLC, with patient management scoring highest (mean = 7.57, SD = 1.49) and communication lowest (mean = 4.84, SD = 2.40). Significant positive correlations were found between self-efficacy and factors such as age (p = 0.212), marital status (p = 0.03), and education level (p = 0.06). Stepwise regression analysis showed that both patient management (β = 0.76, p < 0.001) and communication (β = 0.54, p < 0.001) domains significantly predicted perceived EOLC competence, collectively explaining 85% of the variance (R² = 0.85, p < 0.001). Conclusions This study highlights the need for educational and institutional interventions to enhance nurses’ self-efficacy in EOLC. Targeted training programs focusing on communication, symptom management, and interdisciplinary teamwork are essential to fill identified gaps. Simulation-based learning and mentorship can help nurses gain the necessary skills. Policymakers and healthcare institutions should integrate comprehensive palliative care training into nursing curricula and practice to ensure high-quality, compassionate EOLC, ultimately improving patient outcomes and care quality.
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spelling doaj-art-e5306f473a0d4ef48af6f54dbde3c1782025-08-20T03:04:23ZengBMCBMC Nursing1472-69552025-07-0124111110.1186/s12912-025-03516-9Factors influencing self-efficacy of healthcare professionals towards end-of-life care in acute care settings in Palestine: a cross-sectional studyMohammed F. Hayek0Baraa F. Shayeb1Jamila Jalal Yaseen2Issa Hashim Othman3Abdulrahman Afif Taha4Amal Bilal Mustafa Naddaf5Mohammed Mays Njedat6Ruba Sayed Saleh7Nizar B. Said8Ahmad Ayed9Loai M. Zabin10Eman Alshawish11Jamal Qaddumi12Imad Thultheen13Oncology and Palliative Care Specialist, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National UniversityPalestinian Ministry of HealthCollege of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National UniversityCollege of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National UniversityFaculty of Nursing, An Najah National UniversityCollege of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National UniversityCollege of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National UniversityCollege of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National UniversityFaculty of Nursing, An Najah National UniversityCollege of Nursing, Arab American UniversityNursing Department, Al Zaytona University, Technical Community CollegeFaculty of Nursing, An Najah National UniversityFaculty of Nursing, An Najah National UniversityFaculty of Nursing, An Najah National UniversityAbstract Background Caring for individuals at the end of life is a profound emotional and complex responsibility, especially within acute care settings where healthcare professionals must navigate the delicate balance between administering life-saving treatments and providing end-of-life care. This dual role can create considerable challenges for healthcare providers, many of whom may feel inadequately prepared or lack the confidence to offer the specialized care required in these situations. This study aimed to examine the factors influencing nurses’ self-efficacy in delivering EOLC in Palestinian acute care hospitals, focusing on communication and patient management competencies. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 nurses from governmental hospitals in Nablus, Salfit, and Ramallah, selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire that included demographic information and the validated Self-Efficacy in Palliative Care Scale (SEPC-S), covering communication and patient management domains. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics. Inferential analyses—including Pearson correlation, one-way ANOVA, and stepwise multiple regression—were performed to identify significant relationships and predictors of self-efficacy in EOLC. All statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21.0. Results Nurses reported moderate self-efficacy in EOLC, with patient management scoring highest (mean = 7.57, SD = 1.49) and communication lowest (mean = 4.84, SD = 2.40). Significant positive correlations were found between self-efficacy and factors such as age (p = 0.212), marital status (p = 0.03), and education level (p = 0.06). Stepwise regression analysis showed that both patient management (β = 0.76, p < 0.001) and communication (β = 0.54, p < 0.001) domains significantly predicted perceived EOLC competence, collectively explaining 85% of the variance (R² = 0.85, p < 0.001). Conclusions This study highlights the need for educational and institutional interventions to enhance nurses’ self-efficacy in EOLC. Targeted training programs focusing on communication, symptom management, and interdisciplinary teamwork are essential to fill identified gaps. Simulation-based learning and mentorship can help nurses gain the necessary skills. Policymakers and healthcare institutions should integrate comprehensive palliative care training into nursing curricula and practice to ensure high-quality, compassionate EOLC, ultimately improving patient outcomes and care quality.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03516-9End-of-life careSelf-efficacyPalliative nursingCommunicationPatient managementAcute care
spellingShingle Mohammed F. Hayek
Baraa F. Shayeb
Jamila Jalal Yaseen
Issa Hashim Othman
Abdulrahman Afif Taha
Amal Bilal Mustafa Naddaf
Mohammed Mays Njedat
Ruba Sayed Saleh
Nizar B. Said
Ahmad Ayed
Loai M. Zabin
Eman Alshawish
Jamal Qaddumi
Imad Thultheen
Factors influencing self-efficacy of healthcare professionals towards end-of-life care in acute care settings in Palestine: a cross-sectional study
BMC Nursing
End-of-life care
Self-efficacy
Palliative nursing
Communication
Patient management
Acute care
title Factors influencing self-efficacy of healthcare professionals towards end-of-life care in acute care settings in Palestine: a cross-sectional study
title_full Factors influencing self-efficacy of healthcare professionals towards end-of-life care in acute care settings in Palestine: a cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Factors influencing self-efficacy of healthcare professionals towards end-of-life care in acute care settings in Palestine: a cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Factors influencing self-efficacy of healthcare professionals towards end-of-life care in acute care settings in Palestine: a cross-sectional study
title_short Factors influencing self-efficacy of healthcare professionals towards end-of-life care in acute care settings in Palestine: a cross-sectional study
title_sort factors influencing self efficacy of healthcare professionals towards end of life care in acute care settings in palestine a cross sectional study
topic End-of-life care
Self-efficacy
Palliative nursing
Communication
Patient management
Acute care
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03516-9
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