Self-care important to palliative care workers, not always practised

Most palliative care professionals agree that self-care is very important, however, a considerable proportion rarely engage with relevant strategies, a new study has found.

The research, led by Jason Mills, a lecturer at Queensland University of Technology's School of Nursing, explored the perceptions, education and practices relating to self-care among palliative care nursing and medical professionals.

It found less than half frequently practise self-care strategies during a working week and just over a tenth do so rarely.

A majority of the survey's respondents also indicated they have not received education or training in the workplace about effective self-care strategies.

Nursing Review sat down with Mills to discuss the importance of self-care and the different ways palliative care professionals can look after themselves.