Shaku F, Yada Y, Tsutsumi M, Kim WS. Characterising end-of-life decision-making of life-sustaining treatment among Japanese nurses.
Int J Palliat Nurs 2021;
27:213-218. [PMID:
34169740 DOI:
10.12968/ijpn.2021.27.4.213]
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Abstract
BACKGROUND
Often, nurses are closer to end-of-life (EOL) patients than other medical professionals, due to the time they spend with them at their bedside, which leads them to understand patients' care goals.
AIMS
To investigate the importance of EOL preferences by examining nurses' EOL decision-making regarding life-sustaining treatment (LST).
METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, 559 self-reported questionnaires of Japanese nurses were examined. Marital status, age and decision-making regarding LST for themselves were investigated.
FINDINGS
Unmarried participants from all age groups had a higher percentage of 'no preference for LST' than married groups. Differences between the percentages were higher in the 20s age group. Married participants increasingly preferred to receive no LST as their age increased, unlike single participants.
CONCLUSION
Marital status influences Japanese nurses' EOL decision-making regarding LST. Therefore, it is necessary to consider a patient's marital status to facilitate better decision-making.
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