Implementing the 'verification of expected death' policy in clinical practice

Area of Science:

• Nursing Practice
• Palliative Care
• Healthcare Policy

Background:

• The Verification of Expected Death (VOED) policy is a critical aspect of end-of-life care.
• Implementing new healthcare policies requires understanding healthcare professionals' experiences.
• District nurses play a vital role in community-based end-of-life care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore district nurses' experiences with implementing the VOED policy in Scotland.
• To identify facilitators and barriers to VOED policy implementation in clinical practice.
• To understand the impact of established therapeutic relationships on end-of-life care discussions.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research methodology.
• Individual interviews conducted with a purposeful sample of community nurses.
• Thematic analysis of interview data to identify key experiences and perceptions.

Main Results:

• Nurses reported that VOED documentation was manageable when they had a pre-existing relationship with the patient and family.
• Established therapeutic relationships facilitated more comfortable end-of-life discussions.
• Despite potential anxiety, professional duty guided nurses in discussing death and dying.
• Effective communication skills were identified as essential for initiating VOED discussions.

Conclusions:

• Familiarity and strong therapeutic relationships enhance the implementation of the VOED policy.
• Professional responsibility and communication skills are paramount for nurses managing end-of-life care discussions.
• Further support and training on communication strategies for VOED may be beneficial for district nurses.