Assessing the Knowledge, Experience and Educational Needs of Nursing Staff Caring for Both the Dying Patient and the Family of Those at End of Life Within the Acute Hospital Setting
thesis
posted on 2021-12-13, 15:30 authored by Sharon FenelonBackground: Acute hospitals are increasingly the place where care is provided at end of life and the location of death. Providing care to the dying patient is a privilege; however there are many challenges to providing optimum care within this setting. Inconsistencies in knowledge and practice amongst nursing staff delivering end-of-life care have been identified. Due to a lack of standardised training; there are missed opportunities in caregiving for this group of patients. This has unfortunately resulted in a number of complaints by families following the death of a loved one in the acute hospital setting.
Aim: The aim of this research study is to assess the knowledge, experience and educational needs of nursing staff caring for those at end of life within the acute hospital setting. The study aims to improve the quality of care delivered to patient’s who die in the acute hospital setting by introducing a standardised approach to education for all staff delivering end-of-life care.
Methods: This study followed a co-operative inquiry action research design. Cycles of planning, action, observation, and reflection are demonstrated throughout the research process. The method of data collection for this study was a quantitative approach using an anonymous questionnaire. Further data was gathered from informal conversations and observation’s with nursing staff and recorded in a reflective diary.
Results: An overarching finding from this study is the need for specific education in all aspects of care at end of life. Participants in this study identified the need for a structured support system to be implemented in order to enable them to deliver optimum end-of-life care following the death of a patient.
Conclusions: Findings from this study contribute to our understanding and increase our knowledge of what is important for nursing staff caring for people at end of life. The findings from this study will be used to develop educational programmes which will enhance the care provided to both the person at end of life and those bereaved.
History
First Supervisor
Dr Una MolloySecond Supervisor
Ms Orla KeeganComments
A thesis submitted in part fulfilment of the degree of MSc in Loss & Bereavement, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. 2021Published Citation
Fenelon S,. Assessing the Knowledge, Experience and Educational Needs of Nursing Staff Caring for Both the Dying Patient and the Family of Those at End of Life Within the Acute Hospital Setting [MSc Thesis] Dublin: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland; 2021Degree Name
- MSc Loss and Bereavement
Date of award
2021-09-01Programme
- MSc Loss and Bereavement
