Nursing the dying: essential elements in the care of terminally ill patients

Araújo, Monica Martins Trovo de; Silva, M J P da; Francisco, Maria Cristina Peres Braido

doi:10.1111/j.1466-7657.2004.00225.x

Cited by 39 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…While accepting the reality of death is a prominent feature of the palliative care movement (Callahan, 2009), it has rarely been addressed in research. When it has, it is usually because researchers found that accepting the reality of death was hard for family, caregivers or healthcare professionals (de Araujo, da Silva, & Francisco, 2004) or as a suggestion that healthcare professionals should be more open about the reality of death (Csikai, 2006). Families' difficulties accepting the reality of death are important to bear this in mind as we are working with families of the dying.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges Facing Families at the End of Life in Three Settings

Kehl

Kirchhoff

Kramer

et al. 2009

Journal of Social Work in End-Of-Life & Palliative Care

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This study examined the challenges faced by family members at the end of life in different care settings and how those challenges compare across settings. A total of 30 participants, who had a family member die in inpatient hospice, a skilled nursing facility or a community support program were interviewed. Semi-structured interviews were recorded and transcribed. Text was coded using qualitative thematic analysis. Themes were determined by consensus. Twelve challenges were identified across care sites. Two themes emerged in all three settings: bearing witness and the experience of loss. The study findings contribute to our knowledge of family perceptions of care in different settings and raises awareness of the need for further research describing the experiences at the end of life in different settings and the importance of creating and testing interventions for both setting specific needs and universal issues.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges Facing Families at the End of Life in Three Settings

Kehl

Kirchhoff

Kramer

et al. 2009

Journal of Social Work in End-Of-Life & Palliative Care

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“…Many nurses described how critical incidents triggered reflections of their own experiences with illness or of a death of a loved one (Cohen & Sarter 1992). A study by deAraujo et al (2004) reports nurses responses are both 'deeply moving and suffering' with each particular case. A study by deAraujo et al (2004) reports nurses responses are both 'deeply moving and suffering' with each particular case.…”

Section: Embodiment Of Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Alleviating existential distress of cancer patients: can relational ethics guide clinicians?

Leung

Esplen

2010

European Journal of Cancer Care

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Most people have a heightened awareness of death at the moment they receive a cancer diagnosis. Medical treatment attempts to demystify and manage death, yet surprisingly, care that alleviates existential distress is the least provided psychosocial care. A review of empirical research [quantitative and qualitative studies (n = 85) and seven literature reviews] was conducted to explore the experiences of clinicians (primarily nurses) working with cancer patients who experience existential distress. This paper summarizes clinicians' experiences with cancer patients who face the threat of mortality. Given that the majority of literature was found to be in nursing, emphasis in this paper tends to be on nurses' experiences. However, findings are suggested to have implications for other clinicians who deal with similar concerns. A lens of relational ethics was inductively found to organize and highlight problems and gaps that originate from interpersonal concerns. This paper describes four themes requiring further research and education related to existential distress: engagement, embodiment, environment and mutual respect. Implications for oncology care are suggested at the micro-, meso- and macro-levels to encourage clinicians to ethically respond to patients' existential distress needs.

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“…Family members' awareness of the fact that their loved one is coming to the end of life could be affected by information provided by healthcare professionals. 39,40 A study showed challenges facing families at the end of life including bearing witness, the experience of loss, and final communications between patient and family. 3 The earlier the family members are aware that their loved one's life is coming to an end, the more time and opportunities they have to prepare for the death.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%