This presentation is an overview of a qualitative, phase one action research study completed in spring 2015. The research question investigated was: What are primary care provider's perceptions of barriers and facilitators to initiate and sustain a palliative care unit in a rural acute care facility. The purpose of the study was to formulate a plan of action for the facility with the hope of improving palliative care access and utilization at the facility. Discussion will include content analysis of focus-group interviews used to generate barrier and facilitator categories, implications for practice, education, and research in nursing and health care.
