Developing and testing a reflection method for implementation of the informal care guideline in community nursing: Design-based research.

AIM: To develop a reflection method for community nurses and certified nursing assistants to support the implementation of the Dutch Informal Care guideline in daily care. DESIGN: Design-based research. METHODS: A design group and four test groups of community nurses and nursing assistants were formed to develop a reflection method that aligns with the needs and preferences of its end-users. The design and test group meetings were video recorded. The video data were iteratively discussed and analysed thematically to adapt and refine the method and to identify its key features. RESULTS: A final reflection method was developed. Five main themes were identified from the analysis: the group, reflective triggers, knowledge about the guidelines, the coach and preconditions. The themes are linked to nine key features representing the building blocks of the reflection method. The key features are group size, participants with different (educational) backgrounds, pairs of participants, expressing thoughts, video feedback, reflection game, making the connection with the guideline, coaching as a process facilitator and meeting organizational and contextual conditions for implementation. CONCLUSION: An evidence- and practice-based reflection method for community nurses and certified nursing assistants is developed to support the implementation. By involving community nurses and certified nursing assistants, the method closely matches their needs and preferences. Critical elements of the reflection method are a game element, video feedback and working in pairs in a group of participants from different (educational) backgrounds. Guidance is needed to make the transfer from theory to practice. IMPACT: A reflection method for community nurses and certified nursing assistants was developed to enhance care work according to guideline recommendations, aiming to improve the care provided by informal caregivers. REPORT METHOD: The COREQ guideline was used. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This reflection method was developed in close collaboration with all stakeholders during the entire study.

Care networks of home-dwelling older adults in the Netherlands: proof of concept of a network typology.

BACKGROUND: Studies on care networks of home-dwelling older adults often focus on network composition. However, looking at network mechanisms (negotiation, navigation and contagion) can be helpful to improve the support generated by the care network. A European study on diabetes patients identified network types based on interaction, which can be beneficial (generative, proxy) or detrimental (struggling, avoidant) to support. This study explored whether these network types are present in care networks of home-dwelling older adults in the Netherlands, and how these types manifest in composition or mechanisms. METHODS: The present study is a cross-sectional qualitative study of care networks supporting 19 home-dwelling older adults. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the older adult and their informal and formal caregivers between March and September 2016. Network composition and mechanisms were abstracted from content analysis of interview transcripts, then network type was determined for each network. RESULTS: Three of the 19 networks had only one respondent and were excluded, yielding 16 for analysis: eight proxy networks, three generative networks, two avoidant networks, one struggling network, and two possibly hybrid networks. In the proxy networks, all negotiation and navigation were centralised by the proxy. In generative networks, negotiation was possible if the older adult could reciprocate, and the network supported this. In avoidant networks, informal and formal caregivers had to deal with an older adult who refused support. In the struggling network, the underlying problem could not be addressed. Furthermore, two networks could either be hybrid network types or networks in a transition process from generative to proxy network. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the network typology developed in the context of diabetes patients is relevant and mostly replicable in networks of multi-morbid older adults. We found that a care network typology based on mechanisms offered additional information beyond network composition. It also appears that the network type can change over time, but more research is needed to confirm this. This study suggests that interventions in avoidant or struggling networks are difficult. Also, actions of network participants seemed aimed at developing proxy networks. Interventions designed to develop or maintain generative networks seem underused.

Selecting interventions for a psychosocial support program for prostate cancer patients undergoing active surveillance: A modified Delphi study.

OBJECTIVE: Curative treatment of low-risk prostate cancer (LR-PCa) does not improve cancer specific survival and active surveillance (AS) is recommended. Although AS is cost-effective and reduces treatment-related complications, it requires psychosocial support. Research on psychosocial interventions specifically focused on men undergoing AS is limited. Aim of this study is to reach consensus amongst relevant stakeholders on selecting interventions offering psychosocial support to PCa patients during AS. METHODS: In accordance with the RAND/UCLA method, a modified Delphi approach was used to establish consensus on selecting interventions. During phase one, interventions were identified through a literature review and open survey among all participants. During phase two, three consensus rounds were conducted to rate potential interventions and obtain statistical consensus. The IQ healthcare consensus tool was used to calculate statistical consensus. RESULTS: After the first consensus round, 31 participants scored individual interventions on relevance using a 9-point Likert scale resulting in the selection of six interventions. During the second consensus round 13 discussion items were reviewed during a focus group. After the third consensus round, seven additional interventions were selected by 23 participants. CONCLUSIONS: In total, 13 interventions were selected for inclusion in a support program. This included four interventions within the domain information and education, three within coping and support, one intervention within physical wellbeing and four within the domain lifestyle.

Lessons learned from patients with spinal cord injury in managing pressure ulcers: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore how individuals with spinal cord injury self-manage the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers and to provide insight into experiences with self-management support. DESIGN: Qualitative study using semi-structured interview and a deductive thematic analysis. SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: Twelve of the 14 participating adults with a spinal cord injury had experience with pressure ulcers, and eight of these had a current pressure ulcer. RESULTS: Respondents suggested to tailor treatment of pressure ulcers to patients' individual wishes and capabilities of patients. Patients and caregivers need to be aware of the importance of determining the cause of pressure ulcers to prevent deterioration. Patients often depend on informal caregivers for follow-up and prevention, and healthcare professionals in non-SCI specialties often lack the knowledge needed to manage pressure ulcers in this specific patient group. Tailored education and peer support are important for patients to set boundaries, be assertive, and cultivate a positive attitude when dealing with pressure ulcers. It is difficult to combine treatment of severe pressure ulcers and preventive measures with work roles. Managing the social impact of pressure ulcers requires more coordination with caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: To support self-management of pressure ulcers in patients with a spinal cord injury, they must find out which preventive measures and treatments suit them best. Healthcare professionals play an important role in the self-management of pressure ulcers and can help patients deal with the emotional and social impact of pressure ulcers. To know patient's needs and tailor their education, healthcare professionals of non SCI organizations need to have knowledge of pressure ulcers management of this specific patient group.

What interventions affect the psychosocial burden experienced by prostate cancer patients undergoing active surveillance? A scoping review.

PURPOSE: Living with untreated prostate cancer (PCa) may cause anxiety and uncertainty in men undergoing active surveillance (AS). Developing a psychosocial support program for such patients might promote psychosocial well-being and patient engagement. This review aims to identify interventions with the potential to influence the psychosocial burden of prostate cancer patients undergoing AS. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews Checklist. A systematic search was conducted in six databases and included publications dating from 2009. All available and eligible evidence was included in this review. RESULTS: After screening 2824 articles, 12 studies were included in the review: nine quantitative, one qualitative, and two mixed method papers. The relative strength of these studies was limited and the quality of most was moderate. CONCLUSIONS: The described interventions can be categorized into three major themes: information and education, coping and (psycho)social support, and lifestyle. Psychosocial support for men undergoing AS should entail involvement of family and spouse during the decision-making process, tailored information about PCa treatments, risks, benefits, protocols, lifestyle adjustments, and complementary and alternative medicine. Assessment and promotion of effective coping and self-management strategies are recommended. Healthcare providers should actively promote physical activity and nutritional improvements. Physical activity programs may also be helpful in facilitating peer support, which is especially important for men with limited social support. Future research should investigate combining interventions to increase efficacy and optimize supportive care during AS.

Impact of nurse practitioner care on patients with chronic conditions.

BACKGROUND: A previous study found that care provided by a nurse practitioner (NP) during oncological or palliative care was highly regarded. These patients, however, were considered a special population due to suffering from life-threatening illnesses. It remains unclear whether the results are transferable to patients with chronic conditions. Patient's perceptions of the quality of NP care have reflected that it equals or exceeds that of physicians, but the root causes of these remarks remain unclear. PURPOSE: To describe the difference in perception of NP care by patients suffering from chronic heart failure (CHF) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in contrast with NP oncological or palliative care. METHODOLOGICAL ORIENTATION: A qualitative study from a phenomenological perspective was conducted. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step method and the Metaphor Identification Procedure. SAMPLE: In 2018 and 2019, 16 outpatients receiving CHF or IBD care were interviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Although chronic and life-threatening diseases may differentiate patients' perspectives, it can be generally stated that patients value NPs to be reliable, helpful, and empathic. Patients feel empowered, at peace and in control thanks to integrated care by dedicated experts. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Outpatients highly appreciate the "communicator role" and "skilled companionship" performed by NPs, to fulfill their needs for attention to the "complete picture." Therefore, further consideration of these competencies is recommended.

Self-management support in cardiovascular consultations by advanced practice nurses trained in motivational interviewing: An observational study.

OBJECTIVE: This observational study explores advanced practice nurses' (APN) performance in secondary prevention and self-management support in patients with cardiovascular disease. METHODS: Real-life consultations in three outpatient clinics were recorded on audio and analysed. First, discussed (sub)categories were determined using five categories of self-management: symptom management, treatment, biomedical cardiovascular risk factors, psychosocial consequences, and lifestyle changes. Second, the extent in which motivational interviewing aspects were applied was determined using the Behaviour Change Counselling Index (BECCI). RESULTS: In total, 49 consultations performed by five female APNs were analysed. Physical topics were discussed in 98% and psychological subthemes in 41% of the consultations. Although not all components of motivational interviewing were applied, talking about current behaviour and behaviours that should change were discussed, and information was provided. Especially setting targets and exchanging ideas on how to reach behavioural goals were applied to a small extent. CONCLUSION: Well-trained APNs in the current study do not carry out motivational interviewing in a structural and complete manner according to BECCI and do not discuss all self-management categories. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Psychological topics should be more integrated in providing self-management support by APNs and the application of motivational interviewing should be enhanced by regularly and repeated training.

Nurse practitioners' perceptions of their ability to enact leadership in hospital care.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To gain insight into nurse practitioners' (NP) leadership roles in Dutch hospital care, by exploring the perceptions regarding their current leadership role and the differences with their previous role as a registered specialised nurse. BACKGROUND: To meet today's challenges of the increasing healthcare demands, the employment of NPs is proliferating. NPs have the ideal position to play a pivotal role within healthcare reforms, yet full expansion of their scope of practice and expertise is having limited success. Long-term sustainability of NPs depends on the ability to perform and develop a leading role. DESIGN AND METHODS: This qualitative descriptive study was conducted in fifteen Dutch hospitals. Data were collected from April-July 2018, and purposive sampling was used for eighteen semi-structured interviews. This study is conducted and reported according to the COREQ checklist. RESULTS: Three main themes concerning NPs' current leadership role emerged, and they were all linked to a successful positioning of NPs. All themes seemed to be of influence on NPs' scope of daily practice. Direct patient care was emphasised, and leadership on other levels appeared to be underused. Most NPs desired to reshape their profession. However, unprofitable use of their leadership skills especially on professional and organisational level and lack of supportive factors seemed to hinder them. CONCLUSIONS: An adequate use of leadership is crucial for role development and positioning of NPs. Further development of the NP profession can help to better differentiate between the tasks of registered specialised nurses and NPs. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Leadership in nursing contributes to the improvement of the quality and efficiency of health care. Further positioning of the NP profession depends on a profitable use of leadership competencies. Besides, NPs should collaborate with healthcare organisations, educational institutions and professional associations to value the NP profession in the current healthcare system.

Actions to influence the care network of home-dwelling elderly people: A qualitative study.

Positive impact of care networks of home-dwelling elderly people may be based on several network mechanisms: navigation to resources, negotiation between participants and contagion of behaviours. Little is known about actions of participants-elderly people, informal caregivers or formal care providers-to activate such mechanisms and generate support. Aim of this study was to identify actions in relation to these network mechanisms. A cross-sectional qualitative study of 48 interviews with home-dwelling elderly people, informal caregivers and formal care providers in the eastern parts of the Netherlands was conducted between March and September 2016. A framework analysis on network mechanisms categorised actions. Actions were reviewed by network party and compared between networks to explore relations between actions and networks. Results showed that participants navigated through existing relations to seek support. Actions on negotiation were aimed at ameliorating existing relations. Few examples and no actions on contagion of behaviours were found. Actions seemed driven by incidents and existing relations. Elderly people rarely initiated actions, informal caregivers felt hampered by their position in the network. Consistent patterns of relations between actions and network characteristics did not emerge. We concluded that the full potential of network-based support of elderly people is probably underused. Particularly promising seem: navigating the neighbourhood for new informal care, using opposite opinions as a catalyst for change and bringing quality of life and dilemma's into dialogue in the network.

What does the nurse practitioner mean to you? A patient-oriented qualitative study in oncological/palliative care.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore what meaning patients associate with their experiences with a nurse practitioner (NP) in oncological or palliative care. BACKGROUND: Care provided by NPs results in high patient satisfaction, mostly related to the assurance of continuity of care, and to receiving information and advice on coping with the disease. Research shows that health care provided by NPs equals the quality of care provided by physicians. Patients may be even more satisfied with care provided by NPs. Because patients' views have only been examined quantitatively, underlying experiences and meanings remain unclear. DESIGN: A qualitative study from a phenomenological perspective. METHODS: In 2017, seventeen outpatients aged 45-79 years, receiving oncological or palliative care, were interviewed in depth. Data were analysed by Colaizzi's seven-step method and by the Metaphor Identification Procedure. RESULTS: Six fundamental themes emerged: the NP as a human (1) and as a professional (2), the NP providing care (3) and cure (4), NPs organising patient care (5) and the impact on patient's well-being (6). MIP analysis revealed six metaphors: NP means trust; is a travel aid; is a combat unit; is a chain; is a signpost; and is a technician. CONCLUSIONS: NPs mean a lot to patients. NPs are valued as reliable, helpful and empathic. Patients feel empowered, at peace and in control as a result of the support, guidance and attention to them as a person as well as to aspects of the disease. Providing expert, integrated care makes patients feel safe and embraced in the NP's expertise. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This qualitative insight into patients' experiences will contribute to the body of knowledge on patients' perceptions of the treatment and support provided by NPs. It adds to the further development of the NPs' profession and education.

Nursing student as patient: experiential learning in a hospital simulation to improve empathy of nursing students.

BACKGROUND: Empathy is an important factor in the relation nurse-patient. To develop empathy in bachelor nursing students is a challenge in nursing education. There are several small experiential learning methods that develop empathy in nursing students, although not in a hospital simulation. By experiencing the role of a patient, nursing students would learn important aspects of empathy. AIM: This research will explore what nursing students learn about empathy in the relation nurse-patient, while they lie in bed as a patient seeing the nurse from another perspective. METHODOLOGICAL DESIGN: Qualitative descriptive study on 75 reflections of bachelor nursing students. RESULTS: Students experienced the need for empathy and were confronted with the patient's experiential world, being dependent, enduring hospital life and needing attention from the nurse. CONCLUSION: The change in perspective in the hospital simulation gives nursing students valuable insights in the importance of empathy in the relation patient-nurse. Four themes were identified: endurance, silent scream for attention, scary dependency and confrontation with the role of patient. Students learned about the possibilities and difficulties of empathy in different stages of the simulation. A hospital simulation is a useful and practical method to teach students empathy from the patients' perspective, on condition that there is a solid preparation for experiential learning.

[Quality of life of nursing home residents with dementia before, during and after playing with a magic table]. / Kwaliteit van leven van verpleeghuisbewoners met dementie voor, tijdens en na het spelen met de tovertafel.

The 'Active Cues Magic Table' is a new game concept within nursing home care. It consists of light animations projected on a dining table and responding to movements of the players. The aim of this exploratory, quasi-experimental study was to examine the quality of life of nursing home residents with moderately severe or severe dementia before, during and after playing with this magic table. Quality of life was assessed with the Qualidem and the DS-DAT. Of the 34 nursing home residents included, 62% were female and mean age was 86.5 years (standard deviation 6.2). The Qualidem showed a small to moderate improvement in 'negative affect', 'restless tense behavior' and 'positive self-image' up to the week after playing (p ≤ 0.04). The DS-DAT showed a moderate improvement up to one hour after playing compared to a quarter of an hour before playing (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the quality of life of nursing home residents with moderately severe or severe dementia seems to improve up to the week after playing with the magic table. However, future research is needed to confirm the results of this exploratory study and to examine whether the improvements can truly be ascribed to the magic table.

[Evaluation by case managers dementia : An explorative practice based study on types and content]. / Evaluatie door casemanagers dementie : Een explorerende praktijkstudie naar vormen en inhoud.

BACKGROUND: This practice based explorative study aims to provide insight into the ways in which case managers shape and fill up the evaluation phase of their support of the informal care network of persons with dementia. METHOD: A combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods were used. A group of 57 case managers of persons with dementia in three different organisational networks took part in this study. RESULTS: Results from the quantitative and qualitative data are organized into four themes: (1) attitude towards evaluation, (2) forms of evaluation, (3) implementation of evaluation and (4) content of evaluation. There are different ways in shaping evaluation and the content of it. The importance of interim and final evaluation is recognized, but is difficult to realize in a methodical way. Barriers experienced by the case managers include various factors associated both with clients as professionals. CONCLUSION: Case managers evaluate continuously and in an informal way to assess whether the extent of their assistance is meeting the needs of the client and informal network. Case managers do not use systematic evaluation to measure the quality of care they offer to persons with dementia and their caregivers. The findings demand a discussion on the level of clients, as well as on the professional and societal level about the way case managers should evaluate their support.

Factors influencing the implementation of the guideline triage in emergency departments: a qualitative study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The objectives are: (1) to identify factors that influence the implementation of the guideline Triage in emergency departments [2004] in emergency departments in the Netherlands, and (2) to develop tailored implementation strategies for implementation of this guideline. BACKGROUND: Guideline dissemination is no guarantee for guideline implementation. In 2004 the guideline Triage in Emergency Departments was disseminated in Dutch hospitals. Guideline revision was scheduled in 2008. Prior to the revision, factors which influenced the implementation of the guideline [2004] were studied to be addressed at the implementation of the revised guideline. METHODS: This is an exploratory study using a qualitative design including: a questionnaire sent to all emergency departments in the Netherlands (n = 108): four focus group interviews, including nurses and ward managers and in-depth interviews with ward managers and doctors. Based on the results, tailored implementation strategies and activities were suggested which target the identified influencing factors. RESULTS: Various factors at individual, social context and organisational level were identified as influencing the implementation of the 2004 version of the guideline, namely: level of knowledge; insight and skills; work preferences; motivation and/or commitment; support; informed doctors; preliminary work and arrangements for implementation; description of tasks and responsibilities; workload and resources. Ward managers, nurses and doctors mentioned similar as well as different factors. Consequently, tailored implementation strategies and activities related to education, maintenance of change, motivation and consensus-building, information, organisation and facilitation were suggested. CONCLUSION: Nurses, ward managers and doctors broadly indicated similar influencing factors, although the importance of these factors differed for the different groups. For nurses, resistance and lack of resources are most important, ward managers mentioned culture and doctors the availability of doctors at the emergency department. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Insight into the barriers for implementation and tailoring implementation strategies to these barriers improves the implementation.

Adherence to the guideline 'Triage in emergency departments': a survey of Dutch emergency departments.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the adherence to the 2004 guideline Triage in emergency departments three years after dissemination in Dutch emergency departments. BACKGROUND: In 2004, a Dutch guideline Triage in emergency departments was developed. Triage is the first step performed by nurses when a patient arrives at an emergency department. It includes the prioritisation of patients to ensure that doctors see patients with the highest medical needs first. Although the national guideline was developed and disseminated in 2004, three years on there was no insight into the level of implementation of the guideline in practice. DESIGN: A cross-sectional descriptive design. METHODS: In February 2007, data were collected from ward managers and triage nurses at all emergency departments in the Netherlands (n = 108), using a questionnaire that was based on the recommendations and performance indicators of the guideline. RESULTS: In total, 79% of all 108 Dutch emergency departments responded. The main findings showed that over 31% of the emergency departments did not use a triage system. Emergency departments using the Manchester Triage System had a mean adherence rate of 61% of the guideline's recommendations and emergency departments using the Emergency System Index adhered to a mean of 65%. CONCLUSION: The guideline Triage in emergency departments was disseminated in 2004, but results from this study indicate that an improvement in adherence to this guideline is required. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Adherence to guidelines is important to standardise practice to ensure that patients receive the appropriate treatment and to improve quality of care.

The usefulness of the Staff-Patient Interaction Response Scale for palliative care nursing for measuring the empathetic capacity of nursing students.

In communicating with patients, especially patients receiving palliative care, empathy plays an important role. Little research has as yet been conducted into the development of the empathetic capacity of nursing students at various educational levels. An instrument that may be suitable for such research is the Staff-Patient Interaction Response Scale for Palliative Care Nursing (SPIRS-PCN). The purpose of the article is to determine the validity and reliability of the SPIRS-PCN, an instrument measuring empathy in palliative care. The criterion-related validity, homogeneity, and interrater reliability of the SPIRS-PCN were determined in nursing students (n = 357) who varied in gender, age, religious orientation, educational level, and experience in patient care. The validity of the SPIRS-PCN was underlined by identification of differences for religious orientation and the amount of experience. The variables gender, age, and educational level were not significant in relation to SPIRS-PCN scores. The homogeneity (Cronbach's alpha = .80) and interrater reliability (.74) of the instrument were adequate. We conclude that validity of the SPIRS-PCN was partially supported, whereas reliability was demonstrated. The instrument is feasible in educational situations; we recommend further research into the instrument's validity, especially in the progression of students' scores during the study program.

The content and effects of palliative care courses for nurses: a literature review.

OBJECTIVES: The present literature review describes the literature (1990-2005) that concerns the effects of courses in palliative care at the pre- and postgraduate levels. DATA SOURCES: A search was made for literature from the period between 1990 and 2005 using CINAHL, Pubmed and Psychlit, supplemented with a search for relevant systematic reviews from the Cochrane Library. DESIGN: The research questions were directed on the areas of expertise and skills, the didactical methods, the effects of the courses and the standards to measure these effects. RESULTS: The studies were all focused on general palliative care. Out of 27 studies 21 reported positive effects for communication, attitude, empathy and pain. Six of these 21 positive trails were studies with good quality designs, whereas 15 had moderate designs. The six studies with a lack of effects was one study with good quality and five studies with moderate quality designs. The effects on patients were described in only a few cases. There was still frequent use of self-constructed rating scales, where data about validity and reliability were lacking or where these aspects were not studied. CONCLUSIONS: The most successful were integrated courses focused on several themes with a variety of didactical methods.

Effects of a postqualification course in palliative care.

AIM: This paper reports a study to determine the effectiveness of a postqualification course in palliative care in terms of increased knowledge, insight and self-efficacy among Registered and Licensed Practical Nurses. BACKGROUND: The importance of measuring the effectiveness of postqualification courses in palliative care for nurses is widely recognized. The benefits of such courses are often merely described in terms of satisfaction of the course participants. METHOD: A convenience sample of nurses was studied. The effect measurement comprised a pretest/post-test quasi-experimental design. Two instruments were used: a comprehensive variant of the Palliative Care Quiz for Nurses and an especially developed domain specific self-efficacy instrument for palliative care. These were used before and after the course. FINDINGS: The course had a positive effect on knowledge and insight level as well as on level of self-efficacy. The main improvements were related to pain and symptom management. Participants seemed to be able to increase the effects of the course by implementing certain products on the wards, such as clinical lessons, a pain assessment scale and relaxation massage. CONCLUSIONS: Palliative care courses can make a significant contribution to nurses' knowledge and insight, as well as their self-efficacy in providing palliative care.

Design of a postgraduate course in palliative care.

BACKGROUND: Although palliative care is multidisciplinary in nature, nurses play an essential role in terminal care. Because new nurses frequently lack the specific skills for palliative nursing care as well as competence in interdisciplinary practice, there is a need for continuing education in palliative care. This article describes a postgraduate course in palliative care for nurses. METHOD: A postgraduate course was developed based on the needs of palliative patients and the subjective and objective needs of nurses. FINDINGS: Four roles assumed by nurses in palliative care were identified: bureaucratic, biomedical, social-therapeutic, and informal. The actual results of the course were influenced by the contextual aspects, which were determined by the nursing environment. Assignments were formulated according to the needs of the nursing unit, and a number of peer review meetings were organized. CONCLUSION: Successful implementation of a postgraduate course in palliative care increases nurses' expertise and offers an opportunity for nurses to exchange experiences and search for solutions to problems together.