Enhancing Nurse Competency in Heart Failure Palliative Care: Development and Validation of a Educational Program

Heart failure is a chronic and progressive disease with a high prevalence and significant burden, especially in low- and middle-income countries like Iran. Patients with heart failure experience a range of physical, psychological, social, and spiritual symptoms, with over half being readmitted to hospitals within six months of discharge. Despite the proven benefits of palliative care—including symptom relief, improved quality of life, and reduced hospitalizations—its integration into heart failure management remains limited. Barriers include a lack of knowledge and training among healthcare providers, misconceptions about palliative care, and insufficient communication. Nurses, as key coordinators of care, often lack the necessary competencies to deliver effective palliative care to this population. There is a clear need for a structured educational program to enhance nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and skills in heart failure palliative care.

کلیدواژه ها:

Heart failure ، Palliative care ، Nurse competency ، Educational program ، Iran