Nurses’ attitudes towards death in the hospital context: differentiation by care units

ABSTRACT

Objective

to identify the occurrence of death in the care units, as well as to analyze the nurses' records and attitudes towards death in the hospital context.

Method

quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study, with the participation of 900 nurses from a hospital in northern Portugal. Using data source triangulation, the collection took place from February to March 2018 through a questionnaire and observation of records made by nurses. For data analysis, descriptive and analytical statistics were used.

Results

it is the medical units that present the highest number of deaths, with the highest number of occurrences taking place in the night shift. Regarding the nurses’ attitudes towards death, with the exception of avoidance, all the others show a similar trend among the professional group, regardless of their area of activity. Nursing records have a higher incidence at the function level rather than focusing on the person’s domain.

Conclusion and implications for the practic

e: in addition to the acquisition of knowledge, through participation in training on death and the dying process, the monitoring and support of professionals, may play a fundamental role in preparing nurses to care of people at the end of life.

Keywords:
Attitude to Death; Death; Nursing; Nursing Care; Hospitals