title: Critical care nurses' perception of barriers and supportive behaviors in end-of-life care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate critical care nurses' perceptions of barriers and supportive behaviors in providing end of life (EOL) care to dying patients and their families.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study involved a convenient sample of 70 nurses who were involved in caring for critically ill patients. Data were collected using a structured interview sheet.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Barriers to providing EOL care were related to intensive care environment, family members, nurses' knowledge and skills, physicians' attitudes and treatment policy. Possible help to providing EOL care involved nurses' support to each other, patient and family-centered care, and families' support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a need to allow the family unlimited access to the dying patient, involve them in patient care and provide them with a private place for grieving.
authors: Faculty of Nursing, Critical Care and Emergency Nursing, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt. amalattia_2000@yahoo.com
authors: Amal Kadry
authors: AK
authors: Attia
authors: Wafaa Wahdan
authors: WW
authors: Abd-Elaziz
authors: Nahed Attia
authors: NA
authors: Kandeel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D064648:Critical Care Nursing; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D055815:Young Adult