Actitudes declaradas del personal de enfermería sobre sedación paliativa hospitalaria y ambulatoria: una revisión de alcance

María Andrea Castro-Bernal; Katerin Cristina Piedrahita Cárdenas; Lina María Vargas-Escobar

doi:10.22235/ech.v14i2.4469

Authors

María Andrea Castro-Bernal Universidad El Bosque https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9460-6908
Katerin Cristina Piedrahita Cárdenas Universidad El Bosque https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5451-5332
Lina María Vargas-Escobar Universidad El Bosque https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0052-5467

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22235/ech.v14i2.4469

Keywords:

sedation, nursing, attitudes, ambulatory care, palliative care

Abstract

Introduction: The nursing role during palliative sedation focuses on providing comprehensive support to the patient and their family when using this therapy to manage refractory symptoms that do not improve with conventional treatments. Objective: To explore nurses’ stated attitudes toward palliative sedation in hospital and outpatient settings, based on the scientific literature. Methodology: A literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases for articles published between 2018 and 2024, following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology. Results: Fifteen articles were analyzed, and the information was organized into the following categories: specific knowledge; factors related to nurses’ beliefs, values, and perceptions; and aspects concerning emotional support and educational needs. Discussion: Nurses in palliative care units face challenges related to managing suffering and uncertainty before and during the administration of palliative sedation, both in relation to the patient and their family. Attitudes toward this therapy vary depending on the care setting, whether hospital-based or outpatient. Conclusions: Ongoing training and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential to strengthen nursing practice, recognizing palliative sedation as an important intervention to meet the needs of patients and their families. Moreover, knowledge levels regarding this therapy vary according to prior experience and the professional’s work setting.

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