“What Should I Say?”: Qualitative Findings on Dilemmas in Palliative Care Nursing

ABSTRACT

The nursing literature suggests that talking and listening to patients about issues associated with death and dying, is both important and difficult, and may be improved with training. This discussion presents the results of recent nursing research to confirm, and elaborate on, this theme. In this research participants touched on many central issues in communicating with patients that included articulating a sense of discomfort and inadequacy about the whole process, detailing the innumerable blocks to open communication [e.g., interference, denial, unrealistic optimism, resistance, collusion and anger] and sharing their sense of success and failure. The insights of nurses who participated in this research testify to the ongoing need to prioritize the development of nursing skills and support in this challenging but important area. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-342-9678. E-mail address: [email protected]]

KEYWORDS:

• Communication
• nursing
• practice incidents
• professional development
• psychosocial care

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Pam McGrath

Pam McGrath, PhD, is Senior Research Assistant. Patsy Yates, MSocSc, RN, is Senior Lecturer. Michael Clinton, PhD, RN, is Professor of Nursing. Gail Hart, PhD, RN, is Professor of Nursing. All authors are affiliated with Queensland University of Technology, Australia.

Patsy Yates

Pam McGrath, PhD, is Senior Research Assistant. Patsy Yates, MSocSc, RN, is Senior Lecturer. Michael Clinton, PhD, RN, is Professor of Nursing. Gail Hart, PhD, RN, is Professor of Nursing. All authors are affiliated with Queensland University of Technology, Australia.

Michael Clinton

Pam McGrath, PhD, is Senior Research Assistant. Patsy Yates, MSocSc, RN, is Senior Lecturer. Michael Clinton, PhD, RN, is Professor of Nursing. Gail Hart, PhD, RN, is Professor of Nursing. All authors are affiliated with Queensland University of Technology, Australia.

Gail Hart

Pam McGrath, PhD, is Senior Research Assistant. Patsy Yates, MSocSc, RN, is Senior Lecturer. Michael Clinton, PhD, RN, is Professor of Nursing. Gail Hart, PhD, RN, is Professor of Nursing. All authors are affiliated with Queensland University of Technology, Australia.