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Despite the notable benefits of palliative care (PC) for patients with chronic diseases, its delivery to people with cardiac problems, particularly in the Middle East region (EMR), remains a critical issue. There is a scarcity of research assessing nursing staff's needs and knowledge in providing PC to cardiac patients in the EMR. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge and needs of PC among nurses towards the provision of PC in intensive coronary care units (ICCUs) in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. It also identified the barriers to the provision of PC services in ICCUs in the Gaza Strip. A hospital-based descriptive quantitative cross-sectional design was adopted to collect data from 85 nurses working in ICCUs at four main hospitals in the Gaza Strip. Knowledge about PC was collected using a developed questionnaire based on the Palliative Care Quiz Nursing Scale (PCQN) and Palliative Care Knowledge Test (PCKT). PC training needs and barriers were assessed using the PC Needs Assessment instrument. Approximately two-thirds of nurses did not receive any PC educational or training programs, which contributed to their lack of PC knowledge. Most nurses would like to enroll in PC training programs, such as family support and communications skills courses. Nurses reported that there was a high demand for PC guidelines and discharge planning for patients with chronic illnesses. Insufficient healthcare professionals' knowledge about PC and a staff shortage were the main barriers to integrating PC into the Gaza healthcare system. This study suggests incorporating PC into nursing curricula and in-service training, and it covers both basic and advanced PC principles. Intensive coronary care unit nurses need knowledge and training about PC, guidance, and support to provide appropriate care to patients with cardiovascular issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION The Gaza Strip is densely populated. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental impact on global healthcare systems, and midwifery practices have transformed in maternity care settings. Our research aimed at understanding the Palestinian midwives' experiences in providing maternity care in Gaza during the COVID-19 pandemic at Gaza European Hospital which was the only hospital providing care for people diagnosed with COVID-19. METHODS To understand the phenomenon of interest, descriptive phenomenology was used. A purposive sample of eight midwives from the European Gaza Hospital was chosen. Between December 2020 and January 2021, semi-structured interviews were used in the data collection procedure. The collected data were analyzed using the Colaizzi approach. RESULTS The investigation resulted in three main themes: emotionally overwhelmed, work environment challenges, and interpersonal relationship development. CONCLUSIONS Midwives shared both positive and negative experiences from their time working in the European Gaza Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. They were confronted with negative emotions such as fear, stress, and anxiety, as well as environmental challenges. Despite this, they created a new interpersonal bond that was positively reflected. To sustain their psychological well-being, COVID-19 care workers require psychological support at work. A strong need exists for equipping the Maternity Department with the essential equipment and supplies to reduce the working environment load, as well as giving the necessary training to staff to be qualified enough to provide such crucial care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Providing antenatal care (ANC) to pregnant women has positive impact on the health of mothers and their newborns. Provided ANC should be of high quality to have such an impact . The aim of this study was to assess the quality of ANC services provided by the governmental primary health care centers in the Gaza Strip as perceived by nurses and midwives providing ANC to this group of health service users . Design: A cross sectional descriptive design was used in this study. Participants of the study were all nurses and midwives (55 participants) who provide ANC at governmental primary health care centers in the Gaza Strip . Results: Results showed that about half (50.9%) of the participants were between 36 - 45 years, the majority of them (72.7%) have more than 10 years of work experience. 40% of participants hold a diploma in midwifery and about one third of them (34.4%) were from Gaza Governorate. Results showed high scores of all study variables and domains. Participants thought that emotional support was the most essential feature of quality of antenatal care and that they are following the national standards criteria related to providing ANC . Conclusion: The results of this study showed that nurses and midwives working at the governmental primary health care centers are providing their clients a high quality ANC service according to national guidelines of ANC. However, this was the perception of the nurses and midwives who provide the services . An assessment of the quality of delivered ANC as perceived by service users is needed to get a full picture of the actual quality of ANC services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]