2024 Volume 44 Pages 32-41
Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess surrogate decision-making support by nurses in the emergency medical field in the Kyushu area, and to clarify the related factors to it.
Methods: A questionnaire was conducted among 603 nurses in an emergency and critical care center in the Kyushu, Japan area. The survey items included a nursing practice scale for measuring support for surrogate decision-makers of terminal care in the intensive and critical care unit. A statistical analysis was conducted using the surrogate decision-making support practice scale score as the dependent variable and the other items as independent variables.
Results: There were 123 subjects in the analysis. A multiple regression analysis revealed that moral sensitivity (β = .296, p < .001), years of nursing experience (β = –.203, p = .021), difficulties with surrogate decision-making support (β = –.183, p = .033), and support from qualified nurses (β = .189, p = .032) related to the practices surrogate decision-making support.
Conclusion: The results showed that moral sensitivity, years of nursing experience, difficulties with surrogate decision-making support, and support from qualified nurses related to the practices associated with surrogate decision-making support.
