Communicating with patients at the terminal stage in nurses’ opinion

Abstract

COMMUNICATING WITH PATIENTS AT THE TERMINAL STAGE IN NURSES’ OPINION

Introduction. Communication is a basic component of nursing care and the condition of satisfaction of patient and his/her family. Communicating with patients at the end of their lives requires mutual trust and kindness. At the core of nursing and communication there should be the principles of autonomy according to which the right of the patients to make choices according to their own system of values and beliefs is recognized.

Aim. The aim of this study was to gain knowledge about how nurses communicate with patients who are at the terminal stage of life, identify factors contributing to the impediment of contacts and obtain information about the scope and type of support to the family of the patient by nurses.

Material and methods. In clinical research, diagnostic survey method was used. As a technique, a questionnaire designed by the author was used. Studies were conducted in health care facilities in Tarnow in the period from February to June 2012 among 130 nurses.

Results. For most of the nurses is not difficult to establish and maintain contact with patients in the terminal phase of illness. Aa small percentage of them admit that the contacts pose some difficulties. Most often the nurses provide support for the family in caring for the sick.