Gwenda Albers1, Anneke L Francke2, Anke J E de Veer3, Johan Bilsen4, Bregje D Onwuteaka-Philipsen5. 1. End-of-Life Care Research Group, Ghent University & Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium. Electronic address: gwenda.albers@vub.ac.be. 2. NIVEL, Netherlands Institute of Health Services Research, Utrecht, Netherlands; Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Expertise Center for Palliative Care Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands. 3. NIVEL, Netherlands Institute of Health Services Research, Utrecht, Netherlands. 4. End-of-Life Care Research Group, Ghent University & Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Public Health, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium. 5. Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Expertise Center for Palliative Care Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To investigate nursing staff attitudes towards involvement and role in end-of-life decisions (ELDs) and the relationships with sociodemographic and work-related characteristics. METHODS: Survey study among nationally representative Dutch research sample consisting of care professionals. Nursing staff working in hospitals, home care, nursing homes or homes for the elderly were sent ELD-questionnaire. RESPONSE: 66% (n=587). Most respondents had been involved in ELD. Three quarters wanted to be involved in whole ELD process; 58% agreed that decisions to withhold/withdraw treatment ought to be discussed with the nurses involved; 64% believed patients would talk rather to nurses than physicians; 72% thought physicians are usually prepared to listen to nurses' opinions. Hospital and highly educated nursing staff indicated relatively more often that they want to be involved in ELD. CONCLUSION: Majority of nursing staff want to be involved in ELD. Work setting and educational level are determining factors in attitudes of nursing staff regarding involvement in ELD. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Awareness on the important role nurses have and want to have in ELD should be raised, and taken into account in trainings on end-of-life care for nurses and physicians and development of guidelines for communication about ELD between patients, nursing staff and physicians.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate nursing staff attitudes towards involvement and role in end-of-life decisions (ELDs) and the relationships with sociodemographic and work-related characteristics. METHODS: Survey study among nationally representative Dutch research sample consisting of care professionals. Nursing staff working in hospitals, home care, nursing homes or homes for the elderly were sent ELD-questionnaire. RESPONSE: 66% (n=587). Most respondents had been involved in ELD. Three quarters wanted to be involved in whole ELD process; 58% agreed that decisions to withhold/withdraw treatment ought to be discussed with the nurses involved; 64% believed patients would talk rather to nurses than physicians; 72% thought physicians are usually prepared to listen to nurses' opinions. Hospital and highly educated nursing staff indicated relatively more often that they want to be involved in ELD. CONCLUSION: Majority of nursing staff want to be involved in ELD. Work setting and educational level are determining factors in attitudes of nursing staff regarding involvement in ELD. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Awareness on the important role nurses have and want to have in ELD should be raised, and taken into account in trainings on end-of-life care for nurses and physicians and development of guidelines for communication about ELD between patients, nursing staff and physicians.
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