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Nurses' attitudes to terminally ill patients
E M Román1, E Sorribes, O Ezquerro
1Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain. eroman@hsp.santpau.es
Journal of Advanced Nursing
|May 1, 2001
Summary
Nurses generally show a slight negative attitude towards terminally ill patients. However, older female nurses and those on morning shifts exhibit more positive attitudes, suggesting training can improve care.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Care
- Palliative Care
- Healthcare Attitudes
Background:
- Terminally ill patient care presents challenges for nurses.
- Previous studies indicate a stereotyped negative attitude among nurses towards terminally ill patients.
- Existing research methods have limitations in assessing these attitudes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify nurses' attitudes towards terminally ill patients in Catalonia, Spain.
- To examine the relationship between nurses' attitudes and socio-demographic factors (center type, shift, experience, age, sex).
- To utilize a novel quantitative method based on the free word-association test.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 175 nurses from 18 hospitals and hospices in Catalonia, Spain.
- Data analysis using the Associative Semantic Field Differential method with the CONTEXT program.
- Quantitative evaluation of attitude positivity was obtained.
Main Results:
- A general slight negative trend in attitudes towards terminally ill patients was observed.
- Older nurses and female nurses demonstrated more positive attitudes.
- Attitude positivity decreased from morning to night shifts; no difference was found between hospital and hospice settings.
Conclusions:
- Nursing attitudes towards terminally ill patients can be effectively analyzed using this method.
- Training programs and awareness initiatives can help modify caregiver attitudes.
- Promoting an adequate professional approach is crucial in palliative care nursing.