Nurses' Perceptions Regarding Sign & Symptom Management in End of Life Care in Nursing Homes

Lim, Se Hyun; Chang, Sung Ok; Kim, Mi So

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
The phenomenon related to sign & symptom management for end of life of the patients is of interest to researchers in nursing society today. This study was conducted to clarify and to conceptualize the factors of sign & symptom management in end of life care though nurses' perceptions on this phenomena.
METHODS
The qualitative study method was used to explore the experienced nurses' perceptions related to sign & symptom management in end of life care. It included a field study carried out in South Korea using in-depth interviews with 30 experienced nurses from three nursing home facilities.
RESULTS
This study identified the following categories related to end of life care with sub-categories for each category: (1) nurses' modes in identifying the signs related to patients' end of life, (2) nurses' perceived directions on patients' end of life care, (3) nurses' perceived strategies in end of life care and (4) nurses' perceived barriers in end of life care.
CONCLUSION
Through this study, characteristics of the way nurses' provide for patients' end of life care are identified, along with how nursing decisions are made to manage the sign & symptom indicating patients' end of life.