title: Oncology nurses' obstacles and supportive behaviors in end-of-life care: providing vital family care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the impact of obstacles and supportive behaviors in end-of-life (EOL) care as perceived by hospital-based oncology nurses.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 69-item mailed survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  National random sample.
  
  
  METHODS
  1,005 nurse members of the Oncology Nursing Society who had provided EOL care for patients with cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three mailings yielded 380 usable responses from 912 eligible respondents, resulting in a 42% return rate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Size and frequency of EOL care obstacles and supportive behaviors for patients with cancer in a hospital setting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results of this research demonstrate the need for more EOL education and help in forming teams of nurses, social and palliative care workers, and physicians to support high-quality care. Another finding was the need for other nurses at a facility to give the nurse caring for the dying patient more time to support the patient and family.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dealing with the family is vital in providing optimal EOL care to patients dying from cancer. By carefully listening to the experience, concerns, and recommendations of hospital-based oncology nurses, compassionate EOL care can be provided to these patients and their families.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oncology nurses are dedicated to providing the best EOL care to their patients and patients' families. This study helped to identify research-based obstacles and supportive behaviors regarding the provision of high-quality EOL care.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA. renea@byu.edu
authors.forename: Renea L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Beckstrand
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Collette
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Callister
authors.forename: Karlen E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Luthy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D003144:Communication Barriers; D003625:Data Collection; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000193:education; D016522:Oncology Service, Hospital; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012944:Social Support; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult