Analysis of Nursing Care that Eases the Emotional Burden of the Family of a Terminally Ill Cancer Patient

- From the Perspective of the Palliative Care Nurse -

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to clarify the nursing care that eases the emotional burden on a terminally ill cancer patient’s family from the perspective of the palliative care nurse, and obtain palliative care suggestions to assist the family.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 nurses in the palliative care wards of two hospitals in the prefecture, and qualitative and inductive analysis was conducted using a content analysis method.

Results: Nursing care that eased such families’ emotional burden was summarized into seven categories, including [expressing the family’s feelings and trying to alleviate their anxiety], [encouraging the family to express their feelings and trying to alleviate their anxiety], [understanding the family’s thoughts and intentions toward the patient and reflecting them in care], and [accepting the patient’s situation and getting involved so that they can prepare for death].

Discussion: To alleviate this burden, nurses need to build deep trust-based relationships through active communication and involvement with patients and their families and provide support that [encourages the family to express their feelings and tries to alleviate their anxiety].