Problems arising when caring for a dying patient with cancer: reflection on a critical incident.
Within health care, a critical incident is an event or circumstance involving a patient, their family or nurse, which has an important effect on the final outcome. Critical incidents can therefore only be identified retrospectively. The incident may have a positive effect or, conversely, it may be something that causes harm or suffering. While reflection and analysis of critical incidents is widely regarded as a valuable learning tool for nurses, its use in palliative care has not received such extensive acceptance. This paper uses the critical incident technique as a means of structured reflection to discuss the problems facing student nurses in the healthcare system of Cyprus when caring for a dying patient. It draws upon the relevant literature to examine specific problems faced by student nurses when dealing with patients with cancer.
Transcultural Centre of Middlesex University, UK. a.charalambous@hotmail.co.uk
Andreas
A
Charalambous
Evridiki
E
Papastavrou
D001293:Attitude to Death; D003479:Curriculum; D003535:Cyprus; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing*; D013338:Students, Nursing; D013727:Terminal Care