6KNIS606: (Palliative and End of Life Care Foundations) Critically evaluate the nursing assessment of one core issue/concern/symptom experienced by a palliative patient, with reference to the literature

1. Choose Your Core Issue/Concern/Symptom

Start with selecting a core issue from the list or one you are particularly interested in. For example, if you choose pain assessment, focus on how pain is assessed in palliative patients, particularly in the context of the setting you work in. Your choice should be something you feel confident discussing and have access to relevant literature.

Tip: If you work closely with patients who deal with pain or breathlessness, it’s easier to reflect on real-world experiences to support your essay.

2. Introduction (200-250 words)

In the introduction, briefly outline:

• The importance of the core issue you’ve chosen in palliative care. For example, if you chose pain assessment, explain how effective pain management is crucial in providing comfort for palliative patients.
• Your aim: You’ll be critically evaluating how this core issue is assessed in palliative care.
• Context: Provide a brief description of the palliative care setting in which you work or the patient you’re discussing, including their condition and care needs.

Tip: Keep your introduction clear and concise. Introduce the issue, the importance of the assessment, and mention how your essay will address both the literature and the implications for practice.

3. Literature Review and Critical Evaluation (1000-1200 words)

This section is where you’ll need to critically engage with the literature. You should look at current research, guidelines, and evidence on assessing the issue you’ve chosen. Here’s how to break it down:

1. Present the current practice for assessing your chosen issue:

• For example, in pain assessment, you might mention the use of pain scales (e.g., Numeric Rating Scale, Visual Analogue Scale), and patient-reported outcomes.
• Include any assessment tools used in your setting and compare them with what the literature suggests as best practices.

2. Critically analyze the evidence:

• Ask yourself, is this method effective? What are the strengths and weaknesses?
• Use literature to compare different methods. For example, some literature may suggest that certain pain scales are more effective for specific patient populations (e.g., patients with dementia).

3. Highlight challenges in assessment:

• Discuss any barriers or limitations in your chosen assessment method. For example, if you’re discussing breathlessness, you might mention how subjective it can be to assess breathlessness, or how some patients may underreport their symptoms.
• Are there challenges unique to the setting you work in? For example, in home care settings, is there enough access to the proper tools?

Tip: Remember to stay critical! Don’t just list studies—evaluate them. What are the gaps in research? Are there any areas where practice is not in line with the literature?

4. Implications for Nursing Practice (600-700 words)

This is where you connect the literature to your nursing practice. Reflect on the wider implications of the issue you’ve chosen. This section can be split into:

1. Impact on patient care:

• How does the method of assessment affect patient care? For example, does it lead to better symptom management, or are there missed opportunities for improving comfort?
• Include how addressing the issue well can improve the quality of life for palliative patients.

2. Implications for nurses and the healthcare team:

• How can the nursing role be strengthened in addressing this issue? Discuss any skills, training, or knowledge gaps that could be addressed to improve assessment.
• Consider the interdisciplinary team—how can better communication or collaboration help?

3. Challenges in different care settings:

• If your palliative care setting is in home care, hospitals, or hospices, discuss the unique challenges of that setting. For example, limited access to tools in home care may affect accurate assessment.
• Are there ethical considerations in your practice? For example, if you’re assessing pain in patients with dementia, how do you balance their subjective reporting with objective signs?

Tip: Be reflective here. Think about your own experiences—how has the assessment of this issue worked (or not worked) in your setting? What changes could improve it?

5. Conclusion (150-200 words)

Wrap up your essay by summarizing:

• The key points from your critical evaluation of the literature.
• The implications for nursing practice in palliative care settings.
• Your final thoughts on how addressing this issue can improve palliative care.

Make sure your conclusion links back to your introduction and ties together your critical evaluation and practical insights.