title: [The transformation of nurses in holding and containing: a reflective group for end-of-life care].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Caring for dying patients is an emotional burden for nurses.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study used reflective groups to explore the process of transition that nurses go through in caring for dying patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We adopted a phenomenological approach. Data were collected from nurses participating in 12 reflective groups. All nurses worked in oncology / hospice units in a general hospital in Taipei. We used thematic analysis to analyze data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings identified a transition in how nurses handled and contained their emotions within three main themes: (1) containing unpredictable reality, (2) cautious "holding back" in discussion, and (3) self-cultivation in order to serve others. These findings led us to extrapolate the three issues of wounded healer, facing others, and altruism in caring.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study represented the holding and containing of nurses in caring for dying patients and held group dialogues to facilitate reflection. Findings will be used to facilitate nurse self-awareness and improve end-of-life care quality.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Meei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ou
authors.forename: Ying-Chun
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Ching-Chi
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Yen-Hsiang
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: Tso-Ying
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hsien-Hsien
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Chiang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000523:psychology
keywords: end-of-life care; nurses; phenomenological research; reflective group; transformation