Nurse-Led Culturally Adapted Palliative and End-of-Life Training for Oncology Nurses in Oman

This study evaluated a nurse-led, culturally adapted training program in palliative and end-of-life care (N-PELTP) for oncology nurses in Oman. Nurses in the intervention group received the structured training program, while a comparison group continued usual practice during the same period. Outcomes were assessed using questionnaires completed before and after the intervention to measure palliative care knowledge, attitudes toward caring for dying patients, self-reported palliative care practices, and communication-related outcomes. The goal of the study was to determine whether a culturally adapted educational program can improve oncology nurses' readiness to deliver palliative and end-of-life care.

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Key information

Conditions

Neoplasms (Cancer / Tumors) Neoplasms Palliative Care Terminal Care

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Royal Hospital, Muscat, Oman

About this study

Palliative and end-of-life care requires skilled nursing communication, symptom management knowledge, and culturally sensitive approaches to care. In many settings, oncology nurses report variable preparation and limited training opportunities in palliative and end-of-life care. This quasi-experimental controlled pretest-posttest study assessed the effectiveness of a nurse-led, culturally adapted palliative and end-of-life training program (N-PELTP) implemented in oncology settings in Oman.

Eligible participants were registered oncology nurses providing direct patient care. The intervention group participated in a structured training program delivered over a defined period, while a comparable control group did not receive the training during the study period. Outcomes were assessed using validated tools at baseline (pre-intervention) and after completion of the intervention (post-intervention). The primary objective was to evaluate change in palliative care knowledge. Secondary objectives included changes in attitudes toward caring for dying patients, self-reported palliative care practices, and communication outcomes.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Registered nurses working in participating oncology/cancer care settings in Oman
Providing direct clinical care to patients with cancer
Employed at the study site during the study period and expected to remain for the duration of the intervention and follow-up assessments
Aged 18 years or older
Able to read and understand the study materials and questionnaires
Willing to participate and provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Nursing students, interns, or non-registered nursing staff
Nurses not providing direct patient care (e.g., administrative/managerial roles without bedside clinical duties)
Nurses on extended leave during the intervention or follow-up period (e.g., annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave)
Nurses who did not complete the baseline (pre-intervention) assessment

Treatment and study plan

N-PELTP Palliative and End-of-Life Training Program

Behavioral

A nurse-led, culturally adapted palliative and end-of-life care education and training program for oncology nurses (N-PELTP). The program was delivered in a structured format over a defined training period and covered core palliative and end-of-life care competencies, including communication and care planning. Outcomes were assessed using standardized questionnaires at baseline (pre-intervention) and after completion of the training (post-intervention

Primary outcomes

Attitude Toward Care of the Dying Score (Frommelt Attitude Toward Care of the Dying Scale, Form B; FATCOD-B)

Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 2 weeks post-intervention

Total score on the Frommelt Attitude Toward Care of the Dying Scale, Form B (FATCOD-B), a 30-item instrument rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Total score range: 30 to 150. Higher scores indicate more positive attitudes toward caring for dying patients.
Palliative and End-of-Life Care Knowledge Score (Palliative and End-of-Life Care Knowledge Questionnaire; PEACE-Q)

Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately post-intervention

Total score on the Palliative and End-of-Life Care Knowledge Questionnaire (PEACE-Q), a 34-item true/false questionnaire. Total score range: 0 to 34. Higher scores indicate greater palliative/end-of-life care knowledge.
Palliative Care Self-Reported Practice Score (Palliative Care Self-Reported Practices Scale; PCPS)

Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 2 weeks post-intervention

Total score on the Palliative Care Self-Reported Practices Scale (PCPS), an 18-item scale rated from 1 (not at all) to 5 (always). Total score range: 18 to 90. Higher scores indicate more frequent palliative care practices.
Communication Practice Score (Communication Domain of PCPS)

Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 2 weeks post-intervention

Communication practice score derived from the communication domain of the Palliative Care Self-Reported Practices Scale (PCPS). Items are rated from 1 (not at all) to 5 (always). Domain score range: 1 to 5 when calculated as a mean item score. Higher scores indicate more frequent/better communication practices in palliative/end-of-life care contexts.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Sultan Qaboos University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effectiveness of a Nurse-Led, Culturally Adapted Palliative and End-of-Life Training Program (N-PELTP) for Oncology Nurses: A Quasi-Experimental Controlled Study

Acronym: N-PELTP

Important dates

Study start: 2025
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Mar 10, 2026
Registry last updated: Mar 10, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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Completed