The attitude of nursing staff towards the death and dying of the patient

Abstract

Introduction. Nurses in their work more often than other professional groups have contact with human death. Nowadays, death is the source of many negative emotions that can cause increased exposure to burnout. Therefore, it is extremely important for nursing staff to have an appropriate approach to dying patients, what will allow them to provide optimal care for the patient at the end of his life.Aim. Assessment of attitudes of nursing staff towards the death and dying of the patient.Material and methods. The study was conducted using the diagnostic survey method with the use of the original questionnaire, which consisted of 40 questions including 26 questions of single choice, 4 questions of multiple choice and 10 questions with characteristics. The material for the study was collected in March and April 2018, the opinion of 594 registered nurses (581 women, 13 man) was examined in departments where nursing staff have frequent contact with dying patients. The analysis was carried out using the SPSS program.Results. The most often nursing staff considers death as a natural phenomenon that every human being must meet (52.2%). Most of the nurses approach emotionally (42.3%) to death of patient. The most frequent emotions accompanying members of nursing teams during a patient’s death are compassion (69.4%) and sadness (67.8%). The nursing staff considers that the most ethical treatment for a dying patient is to give him decent conditions of dying (98%). Nurses mainly consider persistent therapy (79.6%) as prolonging suffering.Conclusions. Nurses in contact with a dying patient most often feel compassion and sadness. The most ethical treatment of a dying patient according to nursing staff is to provide him with decent conditions for dying.

Feelings and Emotions of Nurses Related to Dying and Death of Patients – A Pilot Study

“…According to scientists from Jordan, the feelings that are provoked by the death of a patient are most often sadness and sorrow. Additionally, religion and spirituality are very important while dealing with emotions, 23 which is also confirmed by Makowicz et al 22 and MacDermott and Keenan. 24 According to the author of this study, some persons chose religion as a stress-coping strategy.…”

“…18–20 On the other hand, such studies are not frequent in the case of personnel of other hospital departments. 21 , 22 …”

“…In Poland, there was research conducted to assess the attitudes of nurses of various specialities related to the death of patients. 22 The emotions of the staff of different departments were analysed and it was shown that the most common feelings in the majority of the nurses were compassion, sadness, and helplessness. However, it was pointed out that the most significant factors that influenced the level of experienced stress were the age of the dying patient and the cause of death (sudden death or death as a result of chronic diseases).…”

“…[18][19][20] On the other hand, such studies are not frequent in the case of personnel of other hospital departments. 21,22 According to the results of the author's research, the most common feelings associated with death are sadness, compassion and helplessness. The outcome of the study is not influenced by the length of service of the personnel.…”

Atitudes dos enfermeiros frente à morte no contexto hospitalar: diferenciação por unidades de cuidados

“…Na sequência dos achados, podemos, por isso, afirmar que os enfermeiros exibem uma atitude de neutralidade pela compreensão da morte como um acontecimento que faz parte da vida. 20,21 Além disso, o fato de os enfermeiros serem majoritariamente praticantes de uma religião explica a atitude de aproximação associada à continuidade de uma vida feliz, ao encontro da harmonia e de uma vida repleta de paz. 1 Por outro lado, uma atitude de escape, justificada pela idade que os participantes apresentam e pela dor vivenciada no âmbito dos processos de doença, sendo, portanto, a morte interpretada como o fim da dor e do sofrimento.…”