Published Paper Details:

Background: Palliative care is a medical treatment that relieves pain and other symptoms caused by a severe illness. Although it is widely accepted in other parts of the world, it is relatively new in the Middle East. Qatar only introduced it in 2008, so the public has yet to experience it. This study investigates the lived experiences of expatriate nurses regarding their palliative approach in medical care units in Doha, Qatar. Method: This study used a qualitative data collection method, which was accomplished by conducting key informant interviews, answering the central question, "How do expatriate nurses deal with the challenges of medical practices in Doha, Qatar?" as it seeks to understand the lived experiences of expatriate nurses in medical care units in Doha, Qatar. A semi-structured interview was utilized to collect the necessary data through which the emerging themes were formulated based on the responses of the participants. Findings: Based on the expatriate nurses' verbal musings in the palliative care unit in Doha, Qatar, the key to understanding their untold lived experiences rely upon three main themes, namely: (1) Patient Supervision, (2) Work Conditions, and (3) Work Adaptation. Conclusion: Expatriate palliative nurses in Qatar have the necessary skills to provide adequate patient care, adjust to their patients' diverse backgrounds, and adapt to their demanding working conditions. However, nurses who work in palliative care are prone to stress, emotional distress, and burnout due to the profession's challenging and melancholic nature. To counteract such difficulties, a favorable working environment and balanced workload distribution are essential for these nurses.