Where do nurses go for help? A qualitative study of coping with death and dying

Peterson, Jennifer; Johnson, Malynnda; Halvorsen, Bonnie; Apmann, Lisa; Chang, Pi-Ching; Kershek, Stephanie; Scherr, Courtney L.; Ogi, Matthew; Pincon, Deborah

doi:10.12968/ijpn.2010.16.9.78636

Cited by 51 publications

(82 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Many nurses also use some form of religious resource to help cope with the death of a patient, etc. [17][18][19]. Furthermore, MacDonald and Friedman [15] argue that higher levels of spirituality correlate to a lower level of burnout in nurses.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prayer and Religion—Irish Nurses Caring for an Intellectually Disabled Child Who Has Died

Keenan

MacDermott

2016

Religions

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This research paper was presented at the Second International Spirituality in Healthcare Conference 2016-Nurturing the Spirit held at Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin. 23rd June 2016. Historically, nursing has had a sound "spiritual" grounding. However, some contemporary health literature is questioning spirituality's relevance, and practitioners often shy away from it. This article aims to highlight the findings of a study which, in exploring the nurse's personal grief relating to caring for a child with an intellectual disability who has died, identified the practice and value of spirituality in nursing practice. A qualitative descriptive research approach was employed. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with eight female nurses who had cared for a child with an intellectual disability who has died. Data was analyzed using Newell and Burnard's pragmatic approach to qualitative data. Ethical Approval was granted by University of Dublin, Trinity College and the relevant healthcare provider. Eight broad themes emerged from the study. "Prayer and Religion" was a sub-theme of "Focusing on the positive", which is the main focus of this article, and discussed in depth for the first time. Spirituality and religion plays a key role in the daily lives of many nurses, who further embrace this aspect of their lives when managing dying, death and bereavement. It became evident that spirituality was not merely a reactive strategy, but one underpinning a participant's core nursing values. Nurse Managers and colleagues should continue to acknowledge, respect and support staff's spirituality.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prayer and Religion—Irish Nurses Caring for an Intellectually Disabled Child Who Has Died

Keenan

MacDermott

2016

Religions

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“…[13] supported the above statement concerning the staff who is also in need of PC/support. They showed that communicating with patients and their families, as well as with co-workers, is an integral part of how nurses cope with death and dying.…”

Section: A Personal Reportmentioning

confidence: 71%

The role of a nurse specialist in palliative care: An Israeli experience

Csorba

2017

Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing

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Given the severe shortage of physicians in Israel, the Ministry of Health issued a decree that offered advanced authority and responsibilities to experienced nurses; thus, the status of the nurse specialist (NS) was created. The role of NS in Israel is truly varied, incorporating many different facets that range from stabilizing to changing the existing palliative care (PC) orders, including those involving dosages and methods of care provision, issuing of repeat prescriptions, suspending drug treatment, and prescribing new drugs for a patient according to a protocol issued by a physician. The NS is also authorized to perform many clinical duties that frequently involve direct patient care. According to the different needs of the patients, he/she coordinates with the different members of the interdisciplinary team, who may be suitable to offer further help and support to the client and/or his/her significant others. His/her work keeps him/her in a constant dialogue with other health-care professionals, and as questions arise, he/she answers them and offers support to staff, patients, and family members. In the Middle East, the whole issue of PC is relatively new, and due to cultures, traditions, and religions, a number of difficulties have to be resolved.

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“…(Redinbaugh et al 2003, Stedeford 1994. Being able to 'turn-off' or establish professional distance is considered a coping strategy (Hopkinson et al 2005, Shorter & Stayt 2009, Espinosa et al 2010, Kelly & Nisker 2010, Peterson et al 2010, Melvin 2012, Williams 2013). However, whilst these coping strategies may protect the healthcare professional from the cumulative effects of providing care for the dying, they do not promote quality, patient-centred compassionate care and may be deemed 'callous' and 'indifferent', as reported in the Francis Report (2013, p13).…”

Section: Contrasts In Reactionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similar findings are reported by emergency workers, who felt fearful of the long-term consequences and stigmatisation of allowing themselves to respond emotionally (Halpern et al 2009). Studies have also reported that other healthcare professionals felt they had to cope with patient loss in a 'professional' manner by putting up boundaries and not over-investing in patient-carer relationships (Rhodes-Kropf et al 2005, Shorter & Stayt 2009, Gerow et al 2010, Peterson et al 2010, Melvin 2012, Williams 2013. Redinbaugh et al (2003, p327) reported that senior doctors who are reluctant to discuss their emotional responses to significant deaths "convey a message about how death is to be handled and potentially isolate learners".…”

Section: Contrasts In Reactionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some research advocates learning through experience (Hillier & Wee 2001, MacLeod et al 2003, which has been reflected in the types of teaching methods now used in medical schools, that often include meeting a dying patient or hospice placements (Field & Wee 2002). It is also suggested that experiential learning can be enhanced through positive role-modelling (Peterson et al 2010). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Passing Away: An Exploratory Study into Physiotherapy Students' Experiences of Patient Death whilst on Clinical Placement

Powell

Toms

2014

International Journal of Practice-based Learning in Health and

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Objectives: Physiotherapy students returning to university following clinical placement commonly reported encountering patient death and often appeared traumatised by the experience. This exploratory study focuses on three main areas: students' experiences of patient death, their feelings and how they coped.Design: A qualitative research design utilised focus groups to explore students' experiences of patient death. Sessions were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and underwent independent thematic analysis by the authors. Categories and themes were then agreed.Participants: Two consecutive final year cohorts were invited to participate in this qualitative study. This resulted in a purposive sample of 15 Physiotherapy students.Findings: Five overlapping themes emerged: emotional distress, contrasts in reactions, desire to respond professionally, coping strategies and contextual risk factors. Students reported not only descriptions of the patient's death but also the perceived contrast between their reactions and those of experienced staff. The latter were described as 'insensitive' and 'blasé'. This contrast resulted in a breakdown in communication and a suppression of students' reactions as they did not want to appear 'silly' or 'unprofessional'.There is increasing recognition that effective management of patient death is an important part of health care. This study suggests that if placement is to be an effective learning environment for this aspect of practice then established healthcare professionals and educators need to be positive role models. Without this the values and skills that are necessary for providing quality end-of-life care may struggle to develop, as well as the culture of openness and transparency that is essential so that students no longer feel they have to hide their emotional distress.

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Where do nurses go for help? A qualitative study of coping with death and dying

Cited by 51 publications

References 27 publications

Prayer and Religion—Irish Nurses Caring for an Intellectually Disabled Child Who Has Died

Prayer and Religion—Irish Nurses Caring for an Intellectually Disabled Child Who Has Died

The role of a nurse specialist in palliative care: An Israeli experience

Passing Away: An Exploratory Study into Physiotherapy Students' Experiences of Patient Death whilst on Clinical Placement

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