Finnish nurses' views on end-of-life discussions and a comparison with physicians' views.
This study investigated Finnish nurses' experiences and views on end-of-life decision making and compared them with physicians' views. For this purpose, a questionnaire was sent to 800 nurses, of which 51% responded. Most of the nurses had a positive attitude towards and respect for living wills, more often than physicians. Most also believed that a will had an effect on decision making. Almost all of the nurses considered it their responsibility to talk to physicians about respecting living wills. Do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders were often interpreted to imply partial or complete palliative (symptom-orientated) care, which may cause confusion. Half of the nurses reported that a DNR decision was discussed always or often with a patient who was able to communicate; physicians were more positive in this respect. Surprisingly, many nurses (44%) stated that active treatment continued too long. Two-thirds thought that their opinions were taken into account sufficiently, even though only half believed that, in general, they had some impact.
Hildén
Hanna-Mari
HM
University of Helsinki, Finland. hhilden@helsinki.fi
Louhiala
Pekka
P
Honkasalo
Marja-Liisa
ML
Palo
Jorma
J
D000328:Adult; D032722:Advance Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005387:Finland; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016224:Living Wills; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010358:Patient Participation; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016414:Resuscitation Orders; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology