Factors of the Nursing Practice Related to Family Conferences for Terminally Ill Patients in Critical Care and Their Families

Abstract

Objective: To clarify the factors of nursing practice related to family conferences (FCs) for terminally ill patients in critical care and their families in Japan.

Methods: A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted with 955 nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs) or high care units (HCUs) across 96 hospitals in Japan. Scores on characteristics of the participants were compared with scores on the Nursing Practice Scale for End-of-life Family conferences in critical care (NPSEF), and factors related to nursing practice were examined in the multiple regression analysis. High NPSEF scores indicated high degree of implementation of nursing practice.

Results: The independent variables were significantly associated with higher total scores on the NPSEF: ethics and end-of-life training experiences (β = .098, p = .010), ethics and end-of-life learning experience as an undergraduate (β = .103, p = .006), higher frequency of consulting others when in ethical trouble (β = –.034~–.214, p < .001), educational background (β = .057~.063, p = .010), medical treatment system: semi-closed (β = .093, p = .023), frequency of working with nurses who do not take charge of patients (β = –.044~–.141, p = .021), and nursing system: partnership nursing system (β = .095, p = .007).

Conclusion: This study clarified the nursing practice factors related to the NPSEF scores. It is suggested that a positive attitude toward problem-solving, learning experience, and a nursing provision system is important for enhancing nursing practice in FCs.