Stressors experienced by nurses providing end-of-life care in intensive care unit (ICU): A Qualitative study

Abstract

Background of Study: Palliative care is unique in that the service focuses on the needs of dying patients and their families as opposed to focusing on maintaining critical bodily functions, as in critical care nursing, or on improving functional capacity, as in rehabilitation nursing (Martens, 2009). The philosophy of palliative care nursing includes providing care to patients using medical science combined with compassion and caring. Patients may be cared for in hospital wards in acute care settings, in specialist hospice or palliative care units, in aged care homes, or in their own home. Palliative care specialist nurses primarily have generalist nursing skills with various levels of specialisation and post-registration education, including palliative care certification. (International Journal of Palliative Nursing 2012).Aims and Objectives: Purpose of the study is to gain a deeper understanding of the stressors experienced by ICU nurses providing End of Life Care and to describe stressors experienced by nurses working in ICU providing End of Life Care.Materials and Methods: Phenomenological research design was used.10 nurses working in ICU and giving End of life Care were selected using purposive sampling technique as per the pre-determined inclusion criteria. Semi-structured interview schedule was used for data collection. Voice recording of the conversation was done, the transcript was then thematically analysed using Open Code Software.Results: By the findings of the study themes emerged as Emotional Stressor, Personal Stressor, Professional Stressor, Anticipatory Stressor and Experiential Stressor.Conclusion: Limited research has been undertaken on the provision of End of Life care by nurses in the Intensive care setting and thus a need arises to conduct a study in this area. Identification and development of strategies to support nurses in the provision of End Of life care is required to ensure quality care and to minimise stress and eliminate burnout.