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Factors associated with difficulties encountered by nurses in the care of terminally ill cancer patients in hospitals in Japan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 August 2005

TOMOYO SASAHARA ,
MITSUNORI MIYASHITA ,
MASAKO KAWA  and
KEIKO KAZUMA
TOMOYO SASAHARA
Affiliation:
Department of Adult Nursing/Terminal and Long-term Care Nursing, School of Health Sciences and Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
MITSUNORI MIYASHITA
Affiliation:
Department of Adult Nursing/Terminal and Long-term Care Nursing, School of Health Sciences and Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
MASAKO KAWA
Affiliation:
Department of Adult Nursing/Terminal and Long-term Care Nursing, School of Health Sciences and Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
KEIKO KAZUMA
Affiliation:
Department of Adult Nursing/Terminal and Long-term Care Nursing, School of Health Sciences and Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Abstract

Objective: To identify the factors associated with difficulties encountered by nurses working in general wards in hospitals in Japan.

Methods: Questionnaires including items regarding difficulties in providing care to terminally ill cancer patients, the existence of a mentor regarding end-of-life issues, awareness of end-of-life issues, and demographic factors were administered to 375 staff nurses working in general in-patient wards. Multivariate regression analyses were employed to investigate correlations between factors.

Results: Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the existence of a mentor for end-of-life issues was associated with fewer difficulties in all areas other than “Knowledge and skill of nurses.” Clinical experience was inversely related to difficulties in “Communication with patients and families” and “Personal issues.” Greater awareness of end-of-life issues was related to higher difficulties in most areas.

Significance of results: The existence of a mentor was correlated with fewer difficulties in most areas. Support by a palliative care team might be effective in reducing difficulties experienced by nurses and in improving care for terminally ill cancer patients. Basic communication training undertaken sooner after registration might be also useful.

Keywords

CommunicationDifficulties encountered by nursesHospitalPalliative care teamTerminally ill
Type
Research Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 3 , Issue 1 , March 2005 , pp. 15 - 22
Copyright
© 2005 Cambridge University Press

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