Qualitative Research Article Summary

This author’s personal perceptions concerning patients facing a lingering terminal illness, have been shaped by over 20 years of critical care nursing experience. Facing death and illness on a daily basis requires self-examination and a high degree of comfort with one’s own mortality, limits and values. Constant exposure to the fragility of life forces respect for the whole person and the people who love them. A general approach to patients who are actively dying is to allow them to define what they want and need during this time. The nurse’s role

On reading this article and identifying the study, there was a clear insight on how death and dying, and even improved health, impacted those nurses (Conte, 2014). Nurses, who worked closely with their patients, through the perils and suffering, culminating of death and losses, had grief not readily explored to enable that comfort zone (Conte, 2014).

Nurses: Assist the patients and families to cope with the end-of-life process such as assessing and

Nurses are responsible in providing holistic, quality care to their clients. In order to effectively provide such care Boswell and Cannon (2009, p. 2 & 7) states that nurses must base their provision of care on the most current, up-to-date health information available and sound nursing knowledge. This is where evidence-based practice (EBP) comes in. Polit and Beck (2010, p. 4) defined EBP as "the use of the best clinical evidence in making patient care desicions". This usually comes from research conducted by nurses and other healthcare professionals. Thus it is pertinent that research reports are critically analyzed.

Sometimes the transition from critical care to end-of-life care is instantaneous, and the urgency associated with end-of life decisions for these children creates challenges for the nurses providing this care. Therefore nurses whose day-to-day practice focuses on saving lives, a sudden or even gradual change in a child's situation to end-of-life care can cause a disconnect between what nurses routinely do in the ICU setting and what they are now expected to do. Fewer studies could be located that has examined the effects of educational program on nurses provide end of life

Death is inevitable at some point everyone must face it. Whether it is the death of a family member, friend, or a family pet, people are forced to deal with the death. Nurses however have more frequent encounters with death than the average person does. When a patient dies in a healthcare setting his or her nurse is obligated to deal with that as well. They must find ways to cope with the increased amount of death that

Acute hospitals play a significant role in end of life care, it is the place where most people die. Evidence suggests that end of life care in hospitals needs improvement. The purpose of this paper was to investigate patient and family experiences of hospital death, the weaknesses within the hospital setting and possible solutions to improve. A literature search identified common themes, these included:

I t is important that end of life care is delivered in respect of patients Autonomy, Beneficence, and in a Truthful way. In what follows I argue that we as nurses need to fulfill obligation to support and assist the dying patient and his family’s right to self-determination as it relates to end of life care. I believe that we have made headway but still have much to achieve. Education and research in these areas by and for health care workers and the general population would do much to improve the quality of end of life care.

What was once believed to be a form of neglect has resulted in a change in practice with the idea that doing less is more. Culture is an important factor in how care is rendered and thus, the limitations of palliative and hospice care lie within the desires of the family and patients. A thorough understanding of our surrounding demographics helps to ensure a seamless approach to providing care without bias or imposition of ones beliefs. However, just as with all things, providing care for the sick and comforting the dying should be rendered in moderation as to prevent the effects of burn out. Likewise, the same effects occur in the caregivers who sacrifice their responsibilities in order to care for their love ones. Finally, and with some closing thoughts, the writer wishes to express with gratitude the benefit of having taken this course to better understand oneself and others in the realm of healthcare. The lessons learned throughout have expanded this writer's knowledge and understanding of the human desire to make a connection through communication, emotion, compassion, and spiritually - the platform from which this writer wishes to continue seeking further knowledge and

The article points out how the American Nurses Association (ANA), the Hospice and Palliative Nurse Association (HPNA), and Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) do not support the use of assisted dying. However, due to recent law changes, the organizations are reevaluating their position on dying with dignity. The article talks about the countries and states that have legalized assisted dying and who can qualify to obtain the prescription. It also points out that nurses who live in these countries and states are more likely to be uncomfortable to talk about this subject with their patients. Either way, patients need to be educated and advocated for while following the code of ethics when dealing with the subject of assisted dying. The article also points out how a nurse needs to be a tentative listener to further assess why the option of assisted dying is being considered. A brief case study demonstrates how a good nurse can reveal the true motives behind choosing the assisted dying as an option. Finally, the article talks about different communication techniques and approaches a nurse can use when discussing the subject of

Heintze, C., Sonntag, U., Brinck, A., Huppertz, M., Niewöhner, J., Wiesner, J., & Braun, V. (2012). A qualitative study on patients' and physicians' visions for the future management of overweight or obesity. Family Practice, 29(1), 103-109. doi:10.1093/fampra/cmr051

The nurse has to do research in order to know which method would be the best for each patient, and to learn all the new strategies to keep the patients comfortable. The nurse’s knowledge is also up to date on all the kinds of new equipment such as mattresses that help prevent the patient from getting bedsores. The nurse is aware that the only physical pain that is hard to treat and control is neuropathic, this is determined through research. The nurse has gained knowledge through their own person understanding and empath which is part of Carper’s (1978) ways of knowing through their experience of when their own grandfather was a patient before they were in palliative care. They had an experience that they would never want a family to go through when their loved one is dying. Through this experience it made the nurse want to go into palliative care so they could use their new knowledge to try their best to make a family with a dying loved one witness a “good death”. The nurse uses knowledge and attitudes built by an ethical framework. The nurse listens to what the patients want allowing them to be in control of their life, respecting their life, and doing what is right for the patient’s well-being. The nurse knows what the patient wants in order to die a “good death” even if it means stopping treatment so that there is no more pain but possibly a shorter life span. The nurse shows knowledge through the awareness of the immediate situation and the awareness of the patient and their awareness of their circumstances as a unique individual. The nurse takes their time with each patient in order to understand them. The nurse has learned that during bath time is when the patient usually seems to speak the most and that is when the nurse learns the most about the patient. (SOURCE)(CARPERS WAY OF KNOWING)(REFERENCE THE

It was recognised by Jevon (2009) that caring for the dying patient can be the most fulfilling whilst also most challenging times for nurses and healthcare professionals. This paper will introduce a case study based on personal experience within clinical placement, exploring and analysing the above statement. In accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council Guidelines (2008) names have been changed to protect patient confidentiality. The paper will seek to address issues relating to the case study examining relevant theory. Current policies and guidelines will be considered in relation to the patient. It will identify a framework involved looking at literature to assess the effectiveness against the case study. Finally, focusing on a

Overview: University of Kansas, article entitled: Creating a curtain of protection: nurses’ experiences of grief following patient death. This title was clear and unambiguous suggesting the key phenomenon under study. Too long or too short titles can be confusing or misleading (Parahoo, 2006), however, this title contained few words which adequately described the contents and purpose of the paper being studied. The abstract provided a succinct overview of the research, it brought out the main features of the report and included relevant information. It captivated my interest which motivated me to continue reading. This paper is a qualitative research written by L. Gerow and colleagues. In this study eleven registered nurses were interviewed using semi-structured interviews and phenomenology concepts. Audio-tapes and demographic questionnaires were also used. The data was analysed using methods of Heideggerian hermeneutical analysis and Van Manen’s progression. The purpose was to describe the lived experiences of nurses surrounding patient’s death. It entails how nurses deal with such situation differently by creating a curtain of protection to mitigate the grieving process allowing them to continue providing supportive nursing care. The aim was to investigate nurses’ grief to develop

Hospice nursing aims to “work holistically with clients and families to maximize quality of life rather than focus on the quantity of life remaining (Cherry & Jacob, 2014, p. 469).” Quality of life and the nurse’s role in providing it to a dying patient has evolved over time. A growing geriatric population, limited facility choices, and increased awareness make hospice care an increasingly popular choice among the terminally ill.