The Impact of Nurses’ Social Intelligence on the Provision of Palliative Care in the Home

1 Ivana Martinec
2 Nataša Dumbović

1,2 Palliative Care Service, Varazdin County Health Center, Croatia

Abstract
Introduction: Palliative care at home is a complex form of healthcare aimed at preserving the quality of life of patients with incurable diseases. In addition to symptom control, special emphasis is placed on preserving human dignity, quality communication, and psychosocial support. Developing awareness of the existence and management of emotions and social skills is one of the key characteristics of medical staff, and contributes to improving the quality of medical care.

Aim and purpose of the paper: The aim of this review paper is to demonstrate the importance of the social intelligenceof nurses in providing palliative care at home, with special emphasis on communication skills, social intelligence, compassion, and emotional sensitivity, as well as the preservation of the dignity of patients while understanding the unique needs of each family.

Methodology: The paper was prepared as a systematic review of the literature available in scientific and professional databases, relevant books, and manuals. The sources were analyzed with special emphasis on social and emotional intelligence, communication in palliative care, compassion, and care planning.

Results and discussion: The analysis of the literature shows that a high level of social intelligence among nurses has a positive effect on the quality of palliative care provision in the home. Active listening, empathy, compassion, and developed communication skills contribute to preserving the dignity of patients, reducing psychological stress, and strengthening relationships
with families based on partnership. The importance of lifelong learning and the development of social competencies is emphasized, especially in the context of modern technological changes and the application of artificial intelligence in healthcare, which cannot replace the interpersonal and social skills of nurses.

Conclusion: Social intelligence is one of the key competencies of nurses in providing palliative care at home. Systematic investment in the development of communication and social skills contributes to more humane, dignified, and high-quality care for patients and their families, and opens up space for further research in this area.

Keywords: social intelligence, nurse, palliative care, communication
Article received: 03.09.2025.
Article accepted: 31.01.2026.
https://doi.org/10.24141/1/12/2/2