2017 Volume 31 Article ID: 31_kitashita_20170131
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to clarify the recognition by general ward nurses caring for end-of-life cancer patientsʼ families suffering anticipatory grief. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a total of 12 nurs es working on a general ward, and their accounts were analyzed in a qualitative and inductive manner. These ac counts showed that the nurses placed emphasis on “supporting end-of-life cancer patientsʼ families without re gret”, and recognized the “importance of interpersonal relationships that become the basis for anticipatory grief care”, and the “importance of care that helps to nurture the strength of families suffering distress associated with anticipatory grief”. On the other hand, nurses recognized the “difficulty of providing anticipatory grief care”, and “nursesʼ own regret that remains after patientsʼ death”. The results of our study indicate the need not only to im prove the skills of nurses, such as their communication skills, but also to help them develop the ability to view their own care objectively, and establish systems for providing anticipatory grief care in an organized manner. In addition, in order to promote “growth as a nurse that can be achieved through end-of-life care experience”, which was noted by general ward nurses, we suggest the need to provide them with opportunities to consider life and death, and recognize the significance of their experience of caring for end-of-life cancer patients and their families.
