Table 2 RN attitudes toward patient care at the end-of-life depending on the department
Row. No. | Statement | Surgical department | Intensive care department | Internal medicine department | N = 1055 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M (SD) | M (SD) | M (SD) | p | ||
n = 344 | n = 195 | n = 516 | |||
1 | The patient should continue to receive all interventions to prevent pressure sores | 4.66 (0.59) | 4.73 (0.53) | 4.68 (0.51) | 0.331c |
2 | The patient is entitled to a dignified and painless death | 4.62(0.60) | 4.69 (0.54) | 4.67 (0.56) | 0.392c |
3 | The patient should always be given the opportunity to receive last rituals that are appropriate to the religious and spiritual beliefs of the patient and their family | 4.60 (0.58) | 4.62 (0.62) | 4.60 (0.58) | 0.839c |
4 | The patient should be cared for in the privacy of a private room | 4.55 (0.60) | 4.56 (0.67) | 4.54 (0.63) | 0.659c |
5 | During EOL care, oro/endotracheal suction should be continued to maintain the airway of the patient | 4.45 (0.60) | 4.44 (0.67) | 4.42 (0.60) | 0.629c |
6 | Healthcare professionals working with patients with extremely serious conditions and frequent deaths, need psychological help | 4.20 (0.79) | 4.05 (0.83) | 4.01 (0.89) | 0.009c |
7 | The family and friends of the patient should be permitted to visit at any time, day or night | 4.16 (1.04) | 3.28 (1.25) | 4.04 (1.09) | < 0.001c |
8 | It is advisable for a patient suffering from an incurable disease to be given the optimum amount of painkillers, despite the fact that this would accelerate his death | 4.14 (0.78) | 4.21 (0.76) | 4.20 (0.78) | 0,419c |
9 | Patients have the right to refuse treatment, even though this would result in their death | 3.87 (0.93) | 3.86 (0.97) | 3.95 (0.91) | 0.354c |
10 | Some patients may be excluded from their treatment and nursing decisions because of doubts about their ability to assess the situation | 3.86 (0.78) | 3.92 (0.80) | 3.83 (0.83) | 0.481c |
11 | Talking with doctors about solving end-of-life problems in a patient has a positive effect on nurses’ job satisfaction | 3.76 (0.94) | 3.91 (0.86) | 3.73 (0.98) | 0.128c |
12 | During EOL care, the patient should continue to receive fluids to maintain hydration | 3.72 (1.04) | 3.87 (1.04) | 3.70 (1.03) | 0.126c |
13 | Nurses have sufficient knowledge of their patients to make an informed decision about what they want | 3.67 (0.97) | 3.62 (0.97) | 3.71 (1.01) | 0.393c |
14 | Interviews with the patient’s family about solving the patient’s end-of-life problems have a positive influence on nurses’ job satisfaction | 3.64 (1.00) | 3.66 (0.95) | 3.59 (1.01) | 0,730c |
15 | Patient consciousness should not be permanently suppressed by sedation | 3.52 (1.01) | 3.27 (1.06) | 3.69 (1.01) | < 0.001c |
16 | You feel psychologically prepared to deal with critical care issues | 3.49 (1.01) | 3.67 (1.05) | 3.66 (0.97) | 0.011c |
17 | Nurses must respect the patient’s wishes, even if they are contrary to their own beliefs | 3.32 (1.01) | 3.29 (1.09) | 3.32 (1.06) | 0.941c |
18 | The family and friends of the patient should be permitted to visit the patient at the bedside without a restriction on the number of family members and friends | 2.92 (1.19) | 2.63 (1.17) | 2.91 (1.24) | 0.006c |