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Aims: To map evidence on the nature and extent of use of nurse‐led palliative care models in low‐ and middle‐income countries serving adults with life‐limiting conditions. Design: A scoping review of the literature was undertaken. Data Sources: A systematic search was performed from database inception to March 2022 in: Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, Wiley Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, Web of Science, SciELO and Global Health. Main search terms included: Nurse‐led AND Palliative care AND Low‐and middle‐income countries. Grey literature was searched from Proquest Dissertations and Theses Global, the World Health Organization and selected palliative care websites. We searched the reference list of included articles for additional studies. Review Methods: We used the framework by Arksey and O'Malley and the PRISMA‐ScR guidelines. Titles and abstracts were screened by one reviewer and full text by two reviewers. Thematic analysis was used to synthesize data and results are presented descriptively using themes and categories. Results: Eighteen studies were included, with majority from Sub‐Saharan Africa (10/20). Three nurse‐led palliative care models emerged: nurse‐led empowering care, nurse‐led symptom control and nurse‐led multicomponent palliative care. They served particularly cancer and HIV patients and were delivered in person or by telehealth care. Reported outcomes were adherence to therapy, improved self‐care ability, improved quality of life and increased access to palliative. Conclusions: The use of nurse‐led palliative care in low‐ and middle‐income countries is in its developing stages and seems feasible. Nursing roles in in low‐ and middle‐income countries need to be expanded by developing advanced practice nurses and nurse practitioner programmes, with palliative care content. More impact evaluation studies on the use of nurse‐led palliative care models in these countries are needed. Impact This review highlights nurse‐led care models that can enhance access and quality of life of patients with life‐limiting conditions in low‐ and middle‐income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Psychosocial distress interferes with the ability to cope effectively with cancer, its physical symptoms and treatment. This in turn leads to poor outcomes in patients. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the level of psychosocial distress, emotional distress and the quality of life of cancer patients in two health facilities in Cameroon. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional hospital-based design. The study was carried out over a period of three months from July–September 2020. The sample size was 120 cancer patients. A consecutive sampling technique was used to select participants. Three validated questionnaires were used: DT, HADS and EORTC QLQ-C30 to assess, psychosocial distress, emotional distress and quality of life respectively. Results were presented using descriptive (frequency, percentage, mean) and inferential statistics (Chi square, Pearson's correlation, ANOVA). Data were analysed with SPSS version 21. All statistics were considered significant at an alpha value set at 0.05 level. Results: The majority of patients 83 (69.2%) presented with clinically significant distress, with financial difficulties 87 (72.5%), fatigue 83 (69.2%), transportation 73 (60.8%) and difficulties with work/school 69(57.5%) being the most reported problems. Fifty nine (50.0%) and 56(47.5%) had moderate to severe anxiety and depression symptoms respectively. Overall on HADS, 67 patients (56.8%) presented with emotional distress. The quality of life was fair, with a mean of 52.4 ± 21.3.There was a statistically significant negative relationship (P < 0.0001), between psychosocial distress and quality of life of patients. Conclusion: Cancer patients suffer from psychosocial distress, which has a negative relationship on their quality of life. It is important that healthcare professionals working in these settings, assess psychosocial distress early in patients with cancer to improve the quality of care and enhance quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Palliative care education for non-specialist health professionals is an important strategy for widening access to palliative care. Aim: To describe Cameroonian nursing students' experiences and perceptions of the strengths and weaknesses of a palliative care course, with a view to refining the course. Methods: Three focus groups were conducted with 23 students, and data were analysed thematically using the framework approach. Results: The students reported connecting with their past personal and professional experiences in the care of patients with palliative care needs during the course. The main course strength reported was its use of a variety of interactive educational strategies, such as role plays, group discussions and case studies. The course's main reported weakness was the lack of supervised clinical practice in palliative care. Conclusion: The use of a variety of interactive educational strategies—including supervised clinical practice—is considered by nursing students as vital to enhancing learning in palliative care education. However, the lack of supervised palliative care clinical practice opportunities is a challenge in Cameroon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]