Factors associated with difficulties encountered by nurses in the care of terminally ill cancer patients in hospitals in Japan.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the factors associated with difficulties encountered by nurses working in general wards in hospitals in Japan.


METHODS
Questionnaires including items regarding difficulties in providing care to terminally ill cancer patients, the existence of a mentor regarding end-of-life issues, awareness of end-of-life issues, and demographic factors were administered to 375 staff nurses working in general in-patient wards. Multivariate regression analyses were employed to investigate correlations between factors.


RESULTS
Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the existence of a mentor for end-of-life issues was associated with fewer difficulties in all areas other than "Knowledge and skill of nurses." Clinical experience was inversely related to difficulties in "Communication with patients and families" and "Personal issues." Greater awareness of end-of-life issues was related to higher difficulties in most areas.


CONCLUSIONS
The existence of a mentor was correlated with fewer difficulties in most areas. Support by a palliative care team might be effective in reducing difficulties experienced by nurses and in improving care for terminally ill cancer patients. Basic communication training undertaken sooner after registration might be also useful.
Sasahara
Tomoyo
T
Department of Adult Nursing/Terminal and Long-term Care Nursing, School of Health Sciences and Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033 Japan. tsasahara-tky@umin.ac.jp
Miyashita
Mitsunori
M
Kawa
Masako
M
Kazuma
Keiko
K
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology*; D019452:Terminally Ill