Nursing the terminally ill. Being with people in difficult times.
There are many impediments to being present and actively listening to people in difficult times. The authors discuss numerous suggestions nurses can use to "be" with patients experiencing a life-threatening or terminal illness. Methods such as eliminating external intrusions, using meditative practices, and ways to create a therapeutic milieu are presented to help the nurse understand how to listen to and be with patients.
Stevens
R D
RD
University of Southern Maine, Department of Human Resource Development, Gorham 04038, USA. stevens@usm.maine.edu
Katsekas
B S
BS
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology*; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012944:Social Support; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology