Nurses' Beliefs and Barriers in End-of-Life Care

What is it about?

This article discusses the beliefs and barriers of registered nurses (RNs) regarding end-of-life care for patients with advanced and life-limiting illnesses. A sequential explanatory mixed methods study was conducted in five hospitals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, involving an online cross-sectional survey and individual semi-structured interviews. The survey used the Care for Terminally Ill Patient tool and had a total of 415 participants. The study found that nurses' beliefs about end-of-life care were significantly associated with their age, religion, ward type, level of education, and frequency of providing end-of-life care. In total, 16 RNs were interviewed, and the study identified four themes related to their beliefs and experiences in providing end-of-life care. The findings highlight the need for targeted education and resources for nurses to support end-of-life care in non-specialist settings and to enhance cultural competence.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

This research is important for several reasons: It provides valuable insights into the beliefs, attitudes, and experiences of registered nurses (RNs) regarding end-of-life care for patients with advanced and life-limiting illnesses. It highlights the barriers and facilitators that RNs encounter when providing end-of-life care, which can help healthcare organizations improve the quality of care and support for both patients and healthcare staff. It contributes to a better understanding of the complex issues surrounding end-of-life care, which is essential for promoting person-centered care and improving patient outcomes. Key Takeaways: 1. RNs' beliefs about end-of-life care are influenced by personal and professional factors, such as values, education, and clinical experiences. 2. RNs' beliefs about the role of curative and palliative care services for patients at the end of life are diverse and sometimes contradictory. 3. Nurses' beliefs about end-of-life care are significantly associated with their age, religion, ward type, level of education, and frequency of providing end-of-life care. 4. RNs face various barriers and facilitators when providing end-of-life care, such as communication challenges, emotional burden, and the need for specialized training and resources. 5. Healthcare organizations should ensure that multidisciplinary teams provide end-of-life care in specialist settings to ensure effective, high-quality care. When this is not possible, organizations should provide targeted education and resources to support end-of-life care in non-specialist settings. Hospitals that employ foreign-trained nurses should consider providing targeted education to enhance their cultural competence and reduce the impact of different beliefs on end-of-life care.