Korean J Rehabil Nurs.  2020 Dec;23(2):120-131. 10.7587/kjrehn.2020.120.

The influence of Moral Sensitivity, Knowledge of Advanced Directives, Good Death Perception on Nurses’ Attitudes toward the Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Treatment in a General Hospital

• Choi, SY
• Kim KH

• KMID: 2519097
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7587/kjrehn.2020.120

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to identify the influence of moral sensitivity, knowledge of advanced directives, good death perception on nurses’ attitudes toward the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment (WLST) in a general hospital.
Methods
189 nurses in a general hospital completed structured questionnaires including the Korean Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire, Knowledge of Advanced Directives Questionnaire, Concept of Good Death Measure, and Attitudes toward WLST Questionnaire. Data were analyzed with independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and hierarchical regression using SPSS/WIN 22.0 program.
Results
Nurses’ attitudes toward WLST was significantly affected by experience of life-sustaining treatment, moral sensitivity and knowledge of advanced directives. In hierarchical multiple regression, nursing experience of life sustaining treatment (β=.27, p<.001), moral sensitivity (β=.23, p=.001), and knowledge of advanced directives (β=.39, p<.001) determined the attitudes toward WLST. These factors explained 48% of the total variability in WLST in this sample.
Conclusion
For patients’ dignified death, it is necessary to develop and apply nursing interventions considering the influencing factors on nurse's attitudes toward life-sustaining treatment, and suggest follow-up research on nurse's behavior related to WLST.

Keyword

Advance directives; Attitude to death; Life support care; Moral status; Nurses