2025 Volume 9 Issue 1 Pages 3-11
[Objective] The objective of this study was to understand the patterns that arise in the support process of visiting nurses caring for patients during the terminal stage of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to clarify the aspects of support that change depending on these patterns.
[Methods] The research design was the exploratory qualitative study using grounded theory approach of Strauss & Corbin (1990/1999). Data were collected from visiting nurses in Japan’s Kanto region.
[Results] The support process provided by home visit nurses for end-stage COPD patients was classified into four patterns, based on the nurse’s perception of the patient’s distinctive condition a peaceful death, a sudden and unexpected clinical outcome, divergence from the patient’s expected condition, and increased feelings of loneliness. Factors such as the challenge of predicting prognosis, the difficulty of controlling dyspnea, the recognition of impending death, and the skill to provide immediate care impacted these patterns.
[Conclusions] The support process provided by home visit nurses for end-stage COPD patients consisted of estimating the time the patient has left, respecting the patient’s wishes that are integral to their survival, and building up their strength to survive while helping them develop the resolve to face death.
