Management of Challenges Faced by Nurses in Dealing with Family Members of Persons Needing End-of-life Care in the Fields of Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine

Abstract

Objective: To clarify how nurses coped with the challenges they faced in dealing with the family members of patients requiring end-of-life care in the fields of emergency and intensive care medicine.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted, using an interview guide, on 15 nurses working in emergency rooms and intensive care units. The contents of the interviews were qualitatively analyzed.

Results: The interview data were classified into the following 3 categories: [Seeking solutions for the challenges], [Measures to protect own feelings from getting involved], and [Increased motivation for the end-of-life care].

Discussion: Nurses have to deal with the responses and emotions of family members while keeping a distance, without getting personally involved with their tragic feelings. Support from colleagues is essential in managing these challenges, and it is considered necessary to deal with issues associated with end-of-life care as a whole department or a team. Furthermore, it is important to create opportunities for the nurses to share their thoughts and experiences and also educate them to elevate their level of motivation to providing support for family members of patients requiring end-of-life care.