Attitudes of Oncology Nurses Towards Care of Dying Patients and the Principles of Dying with Dignity and Their Views on Good Death

This study investigated oncology nurses’ attitudes toward caring for dying patients, their principles of dying with dignity, and their views on good death. This descriptive study included 257 oncology nurses working at two university hospitals, an educational research hospital and a state hospital in Turkey. Data were collected using the descriptive characteristics information form, the Frommelt Attitudes toward Care of the Dying scale, the Assessment Scale of Attitudes toward the Principles of Dying with Dignity, and the Good Death Scale. The nurses obtained mean scores of 99.53 ± 7.76 on the Frommelt Attitudes toward Care of the Dying scale, 26.84 ± 12.45 on the Assessment Scale of Attitudes toward the Principles of Dying with Dignity, and 57.23 ± 7.48 on the Good Death Scale. The nurses’ personal and professional characteristics influenced their attitudes toward caring for dying patients, the principles of dying with dignity, and their views on good death.

Dying with dignity: the challenges of end-of-life care in patients with substance use disorders

Substance use disorder is a chronic disease carrying a high risk of morbidity and mortality. We report a case of a patient on long-term opioid agonist treatment who was diagnosed with metastatic cholangiocarcinoma and was referred to palliative care services almost contemporaneously with this diagnosis. In this report, we explore the challenges posed in offering holistic care during the end of life of a patient with a history of opioid dependence. A coordinated approach by addiction medicine and palliative care teams can allow patients from this complex cohort to ultimately die with dignity.

The importance of providing palliative care for patients with severe COVID-19 in Indonesia

Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), particularly those with a severe condition, might not survive. Pandemic situation challenges the healthcare providers in addressing palliative care to the patients. This paper aimed to describe the importance of providing palliative care for patients with severe COVID-19 in Indonesia. We used a case scenario to illustrate the common condition experienced by a patient with severe COVID-19. Health care providers in Indonesia could address palliative care for patients with COVID-19 by focusing on controlling the symptoms, avoiding futile intervention, and connecting the patients and their families. Nurses need to consider the patients’ needs for family supports, even though not in physical or psychosocial support, and help the patients who need end-of-life care to be dying with dignity. Communication technology must be utilized optimally by healthcare providers to realize the communication among the patients, families, and health workers.

The Meaning of Death for Nursing Students and Their Attitudes Toward Dignified Death Principles

This study aims to determine the meaning of death for nursing students and their attitudes toward dignified death principles. The descriptive study was conducted with nursing students studying at a state university in Turkey. The data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Personal Meanings of Death Scale (PMDS), and the Assessment Scale of Attitudes toward the Principles of Dying with Dignity (ASAPDD). A positive and low-level significant relationship was determined between the students' age and the scores for the PMDS subdimensions and the ASAPDD. It was found that the students had positive perceptions of death and adopted the principles of a dignified death. It was determined that an increase in the students' perceptions of death positively affected their adoption of the principles of a dignified death.

“Dying With Dignity”: A Qualitative Study With Caregivers on the Care of Individuals With Terminal Cancer

This study aimed to examine family members’ attitudes and perceptions regarding their choice of care in the event of terminal illness, based on their experience in a caregiver’s role, while a loved one was terminally ill. All participants ( N = 10) had cared for an immediate family member with terminal cancer. Snowball sampling was used. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews. The data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. Five themes were identified from the data. These included two themes relating to participants’ experience of care, two themes in relation to participants’ attitudes toward the type of care they experienced and a final theme related to the role of religion and spirituality in dealing with loss. The findings of this study support the integration of multidisciplinary healthcare teams and the introduction of holistic care as early as possible within hospitals for individuals with terminal cancer, using the biopsychosocial–spiritual model.