Home Health Care Nurses and Home-Based Palliative Care in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Abstract Purpose To explore barriers and facilitators of home-based palliative nursing care in Saudi Arabia. Design A prospective, mixed method concurrent research design. Methods A total of 52 HHC nurses completed the survey, and 14 nurses and leaders were interviewed. We used Latent Class Analysis, regression, and content analysis to analyze data and a joint display table to integrate findings. Findings We identified two groups of nurses in our quantitative findings: a barrier group and facilitator group. Language was the most commonly perceived barrier across groups. Qualitative findings consist of four themes: 1) Nurses’ Practice and Challenges and Rewards; 2) Empowering Caregivers, Families, and Communities to Take Responsibility; 3) Context, Policies, and Resources; and 4) Dealing with Challenges and Risks. Areas of convergence and divergence between the quantitative and qualitative findings are presented in a joint display table. Conclusion HHC is not a popular area of practice for nurses in Saudi Arabia due to various work-related factors. Leaders should find ways to attract nurses to work in this understaffed yet indispensable specialty.