Nursing interventions to promote dignified dying in four countries

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Palliative Care
• End-of-Life Care

Background:

• Dignified dying is a critical aspect of patient care.
• Understanding nursing interventions that promote dignity is essential for improving end-of-life experiences.
• International perspectives on dignified dying are under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe nursing interventions used to promote dignified dying.
• To identify these interventions as perceived by nurses in four diverse countries.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey design was employed.
• Data were collected from 560 nurses in Ethiopia, India, Kenya, and the United States.
• Qualitative analysis of open-ended survey responses was conducted using the Dignity-Conserving Care Model.

Main Results:

• The Dignity-Conserving Care Model effectively framed the analysis of nursing interventions.
• Nurses from all participating countries identified interventions across three categories: illness-related concerns, dignity-conserving repertoire, and social-dignity inventory.
• While variations existed, common themes in promoting dignified dying were observed.

Conclusions:

• Nurses recognize the holistic nature of the dying process and the need for multifaceted interventions.
• Palliative care interventions for dignified dying are applicable across various healthcare settings, specialties, countries, and cultures.
• This study establishes a basis for future research on dignified dying using the Dignity-Conserving Care Model from an international nursing viewpoint.