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Friedrichsen M, Jaarsma T, Thulesius H, Waldreus N, Hedman C, Jaarsma P, Lythell C, Milovanovic M, Karlsson M, Milberg A, Söderlund Schaller A. Assistant nurses' experiences of thirst and ethical dilemmas in dying patients in specialized palliative care-A qualitative study. J Adv Nurs 2023; 79:4292-4303. [PMID: 37694685 DOI: 10.1111/jan.15851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To describe assistant nurses' experiences of thirst and ethical challenges in relation to thirst in terminally ill patients in specialized palliative care (PC) units. DESIGN A qualitative, reflexive thematic design with an inductive analysis was used. METHODS Data were collected during November 2021-January 2023. Twelve qualitative interviews with assistant nurses working in five different specialized PC units in different hospitals in Sweden were conducted. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed with a reflexive thematic analysis. The study was guided by the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR). RESULTS Two main themes were found in this study. (1) 'A world of practice for thirst relief' where assistant nurses present a task-oriented world where the knowledge of thirst is an experience-based unspoken knowledge where mainly routines rule. (2) Ethical challenges presents different ethical problems that they meet in their practice, such as when patients express thirst towards the end of their life but are too severely ill to drink or when they watch lack of knowledge in the area among other health professionals. CONCLUSION Thirst in dying patients is a neglected area that assistant nurses work with, without communicating it. Their knowledge of thirst and thirst relief are not expressed, seldom discussed, there are no policy documents nor is thirst documented in the patient's record. There is a need for nurses to take the lead in changing nursing practice regarding thirst. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION No patient or public contribution. IMPACT In palliative care, previous studies have shown that dying patients might be thirsty. Assistant nurses recognize thirst in dying patients, but thirst is not discussed in the team. Nurses must consider the patient's fundamental care needs and address thirst, for example in the nursing process to ensure patients quality of life in the last days of life. REPORTING METHOD The study was guided by the SRQR. WHAT DOES THIS ARTICLE CONTRIBUTE TO THE WIDER GLOBAL CLINICAL COMMUNITY?: Thirst is a distressing symptom for all humans. However, when a patient is dying, he or she loses several functions and can no longer drink independently. The knowledge from this article contributes to our understanding of current practice and shows an area that requires immediate attention for the improvement of fundamental palliative care delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Friedrichsen
- Palliative Education and Research Centre, Vrinnevi Hospital, Norrköping, Sweden
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Tiny Jaarsma
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Hans Thulesius
- Department of Medicine and Optometry, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- Region Kronoberg, Växjö, Sweden
| | - Nana Waldreus
- Division of Nursing, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
- Theme Inflammation and Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Christel Hedman
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- R&D Department, Stockholms Sjukhem Foundation, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pier Jaarsma
- Division of Society and Health, Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Caroline Lythell
- Palliative Education and Research Centre, Vrinnevi Hospital, Norrköping, Sweden
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Micha Milovanovic
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Internal Medicine, Vrinnevi Hospital, Norrköping, Sweden
| | - Marit Karlsson
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Anna Milberg
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Anne Söderlund Schaller
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Pain and Rehabilitation Centre, Linköping, Sweden
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Featherstone I, Siddiqi N, Jones L, Coppo E, Sheldon T, Hosie A, Wolkowski A, Bush SH, Taylor J, Teodorczuk A, Johnson MJ. 'It's tough. It is hard': A qualitative interview study of staff and volunteers caring for hospice in-patients with delirium. Palliat Med 2023:2692163231170655. [PMID: 37129262 DOI: 10.1177/02692163231170655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Delirium is a distressing condition often experienced by hospice in-patients. Increased understanding of current multidisciplinary care of delirium is needed to develop interventions in this setting. AIM(S) To explore hospice staff and volunteers' practice, its influences and what may need to change to improve hospice delirium care. DESIGN Qualitative interview study using behaviour change theory from a critical realist stance. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Thirty-seven staff, including different professional groups and roles, and volunteers were purposively sampled from two in-patient hospices. RESULTS We found that participants' practice focus was on managing hyperactive symptoms of delirium, through medication use and non-pharmacological strategies. Delirium prevention, early recognition and hypoactive delirium received less attention. Our theoretically-informed analysis identified this focus was influenced by staff and volunteers' emotional responses to the distress associated with hyperactive symptoms of delirium as well as understanding of delirium prevention, recognition and care, which varied between staff groups. Non-pharmacological delirium management was supported by adequate staffing levels, supportive team working and a culture of person-centred and family-centred care, although behaviours that disrupted the calm hospice environment challenged this. CONCLUSIONS Our findings can inform hospice-tailored behaviour change interventions that develop a shared team understanding and engage staff's emotional responses to improve delirium care. Reflective learning opportunities are needed that increase understanding of the potential to reduce patient distress through prevention and early recognition of delirium, as well as person-centred management. Organisational support for adequate, flexible staffing levels and supportive team working is required to support person-centred delirium care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Najma Siddiqi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
- Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - Lesley Jones
- Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - Eleonora Coppo
- Cardinal Massaia Hospital of Asti, Asti, Piemonte, Italy
| | - Trevor Sheldon
- Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University, London, UK
| | - Annmarie Hosie
- School of Nursing, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The Cunningham Centre for Palliative Care, St Vincent's Health Network, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- IMPAACT, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Shirley H Bush
- Department of Medicine, Division of Palliative Care, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Bruyere Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Johanna Taylor
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Andrew Teodorczuk
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- The Prince Charles Hospital, Metro North Mental Health, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia
| | - Miriam J Johnson
- Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, UK
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Featherstone I, Hosie A, Siddiqi N, Grassau P, Bush SH, Taylor J, Sheldon T, Johnson MJ. The experience of delirium in palliative care settings for patients, family, clinicians and volunteers: A qualitative systematic review and thematic synthesis. Palliat Med 2021; 35:988-1004. [PMID: 33784915 PMCID: PMC8189008 DOI: 10.1177/02692163211006313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Delirium is common in palliative care settings and is distressing for patients, their families and clinicians. To develop effective interventions, we need first to understand current delirium care in this setting. AIM To understand patient, family, clinicians' and volunteers' experience of delirium and its care in palliative care contexts. DESIGN Qualitative systematic review and thematic synthesis (PROSPERO 2018 CRD42018102417). DATA SOURCES The following databases were searched: CINAHL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Embase, MEDLINE and PsycINFO (2000-2020) for qualitative studies exploring experiences of delirium or its care in specialist palliative care services. Study selection and quality appraisal were independently conducted by two reviewers. RESULTS A total of 21 papers describing 16 studies were included. In quality appraisal, trustworthiness (rigour of methods used) was assessed as high (n = 5), medium (n = 8) or low (n = 3). Three major themes were identified: interpretations of delirium and their influence on care; clinicians' responses to the suffering of patients with delirium and the roles of the family in delirium care. Nursing staff and other clinicians had limited understanding of delirium as a medical condition with potentially modifiable causes. Practice focused on alleviating patient suffering through person-centred approaches, which could be challenging with delirious patients, and medication use. Treatment decisions were also influenced by the distress of family and clinicians and resource limitations. Family played vital roles in delirium care. CONCLUSIONS Increased understanding of non-pharmacological approaches to delirium prevention and management, as well as support for clinicians and families, are important to enable patients' multi-dimensional needs to be met.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Annmarie Hosie
- School of Nursing, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The Cunningham Centre for Palliative Care, St Vincent’s Health Network, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Najma Siddiqi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
- Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK
| | - Pamela Grassau
- School of Social Work, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Palliative Care, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Bruyere Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Shirley H Bush
- Department of Medicine, Division of Palliative Care, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Bruyere Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Palliative Care, Bruyere Continuing Care, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Johanna Taylor
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Trevor Sheldon
- Institute of Population Health Sciences, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Miriam J Johnson
- Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, UK
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The value of the ethnographic approach to research issues in palliative care. Curr Opin Support Palliat Care 2020; 13:337-343. [PMID: 31689271 DOI: 10.1097/spc.0000000000000460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Qualitative research in the field of palliative care allows for a crucial study of the final stage of life from a social point of view and cultural perspective. This review evaluates the advantages and challenges of applying an ethnographic approach to palliative care research. RECENT FINDINGS Thirteen ethnographic articles on organization or quality of care, decision-making, delirium, death, and the process of dying, were reviewed. Most studies use interviews, participant observation, and field notes as their primary data collection techniques. In ethnographic research, cultural issues, relationships and interactions of a group, the meanings and perceptions of the participants, the communication process, and the use of language in a particular and natural context were analyzed. Data collection and information analysis took an average of 14 months in the included studies. SUMMARY The ethnographic method, applied with rigor, is valuable in the analysis of a real phenomenon if the particular context in which the study developed is well defined. With an ethnographic approach, researchers can uncover cultural nuances that evidence different realities.
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