Community nurses' perceptions of a good death: a qualitative exploratory study.
OBJECTIVE
This study sought to gain an insight into perceptions of a 'good death' among community nurses, and to identify its central components. By understanding these factors, it was hoped that common difficulties could be identified, enabling recommendations to be made to enhance patient care and reduce the pressures to which nurses are exposed.


METHODS
This qualitative exploratory study relied on semi-structured interviews, incorporating the critical incident technique to elicit retrospective accounts of experiences of palliative care and a good death. Data was obtained from a purposive sample of 17 community nurses, working in a single primary care trust in south-east England.


RESULTS
The participants identified eight key themes in supporting a good death: symptom control, patient choice, honesty, spirituality, interprofessional relationships, effective preparation and organization and provision of seamless care. When these are in place, a good death is possible. Factors such as lack of necessary medication/resources, unsuccessful interprofessional relationships and lack of teamwork were significant determinants of less successful care. The provision of seamless care was an important criterion for success.


CONCLUSIONS
In identifying the contributory factors, this study has shown that a good death can be provided in the community, although it has also revealed many challenges associated with such care. While it could be argued that due to the unpredictability of death, such challenges may always be a threat to effective care anticipatory planning and a recognition that patients need and are entitled to specialist care many of these difficulties could be overcome.
Griggs
Chloe
C
Department of Nursing and Applied Clinical Studies, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, Kent, UK. chloe.griggs@canterbury.ac.uk
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001293:Attitude to Death; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003142:Communication; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012944:Social Support; D029181:Spirituality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014342:Truth Disclosure