Advancing Nursing Expertise in Symptom Management for Palliative Care Patients:A Review of Aligning Symptom Management Expertise with Vision 2030
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Abstract
Effective symptom management is a critical component of palliative care, aiming to improve the quality of life for patients with advanced illnesses. As Saudi Arabia progresses towards the goals of Vision 2030, which emphasize the importance of enhancing healthcare services, it is crucial to align nursing expertise in symptom management with these objectives. This systematic review aims to explore the current state of nursing interventions in symptom management for palliative care patients and identify strategies for advancing nursing expertise in this domain to support the realization of Vision 2030. A comprehensive search of electronic databases, including PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus, was conducted to identify relevant studies published between 2000 and 2023. The search strategy employed a combination of keywords related to palliative care, symptom management, nursing interventions, and nursing expertise. A total of 38 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The findings highlight the essential role of nurses in assessing and managing a wide range of symptoms experienced by palliative care patients, including pain, dyspnea, fatigue, and psychological distress. Key nursing interventions identified include pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches, patient education, care coordination, and advance care planning. The review also reveals the need for enhancing nursing education and training in symptom management, fostering interprofessional collaboration, and leveraging technology to support evidence-based practice. The findings of this review have significant implications for nursing practice, education, and research in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the importance of investing in the development of nursing expertise in symptom management to improve the quality of palliative care and contribute to the achievement of Vision 2030 goals.