Nurses' perceptions of the content, relevance and usefulness of the quality of life concept in relation to nursing practice.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate how nurses define the quality of life concept and if they find it relevant and useful for their daily practice. Eighteen nurses recruited from a neurological and rheumatologic unit at a Norwegian University Hospital filled in a questionnaire consisting of four open-ended questions in relation to the definition of quality of life, the concept's relevance for their daily practice, characteristics of a patient experiencing good vs. bad quality of life and ways to improve quality of life. The findings showed that nurses associated quality of life with the individual's experience of meaning in life. Meaning in life was associated with good mood, positive self-concept, being solution-oriented, initiative to self-care and having a close relationship to significant others. Further, the nurses expressed that their way of being towards the patients in terms of give time, encourage, inspire confidence, be present and listen was the most important intervention to maintain or increase patients' quality of life.