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Document Type
DNP - University Access Only
Award Date
2020
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Graduate Nursing
First Advisor
Mary J. Isaacson
Second Advisor
Mary Kay Nissen
Abstract
Background/Purpose: Emergency nurses (ENs) care for a variety of patients, including those with life-limiting illness or at end-of-life. ENs are often hesitant to initiate palliative or end-of-life (PEOL) discussions because of a lack of comfort with these topics. Often, these nurses have no formal PEOL communication training which contributes to the lack of comfort with PEOL discussions in the emergency department (ED).
Methods: A literature review was conducted using databases such as CINAHL, EBSCOhost, Science Direct, PubMed, Sage Journals, Google Scholar, and Wiley. Initial search limitations and inclusion criteria included full text, peer reviewed, and published within the last 5 years. The titles and abstracts were reviewed to identify articles that supported the PICOT question. Each supporting article was appraised to distinguish articles of the highest quality.
Gaps: This review identified a dearth of studies specific to PEOL communication curriculum for ENs. In addition, while PEOL communication training is recommended, no information was found specific to curriculum or how often this training should occur to ensure that optimal comfort with PEOL communication is maintained.
Recommendations: Dedicated PEOL communication training is recommended to increase EN comfort when communicating with PEOL patient and their families.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Palliative treatment.
Terminal care.
Nurses -- Attitudes.
Nurses -- Psychology.
Emergency nursing.
Nurse and patient.
Format
application/pdf
Number of Pages
68
Publisher
South Dakota State University
Rights
Copyright © 2020 Abbie Styes
Recommended Citation
Styes, Abbie, "Improving Emergency Nurses Perceived Comfort when Communicating with Patients and Families about Palliative or End-of-Life Care: Review of Literature" (2020). Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Practice Innovation Projects. 128.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/con_dnp/128