Nurses response to terminal care in the geriatric unit

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Nursing
• Oncology Nursing
• Palliative Care

Background:

• Elderly patients represent a significant challenge for nursing services, with over half of all cancer diagnoses occurring in this demographic.
• Geriatric units frequently manage a substantial number of elderly patients diagnosed with cancer, highlighting the need for specialized care approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the attitudes of nurses regarding the terminal care of elderly patients within their wards.
• To identify specific areas of discomfort and skill deficits among nurses in providing end-of-life care for geriatric cancer patients.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory study was conducted using questionnaires distributed to nurses.
• Nurses from both acute and rehabilitation wards participated, providing opinions on various aspects of terminal care.

Main Results:

• Nurses reported feeling uncomfortable in certain aspects of their role in terminal care for elderly patients.
• Identified skill gaps and areas of discomfort were prevalent among nurses on both acute and rehabilitation wards.
• Despite perceived good care, nurses expressed a need for enhanced skills and support in managing terminal illness in the elderly.

Conclusions:

• Nurses require specialized training and ongoing support to effectively manage the terminal care of elderly cancer patients.
• Improving nurses' skills and confidence in end-of-life care can lead to greater job satisfaction and enhanced patient outcomes.
• Addressing the challenges in geriatric terminal care is essential for optimizing nursing services for an aging population.