The purpose of this descriptive study is to investigate the perception of practice of health care professionals at a mental institution, as it pertains to their work with dying patients, and also to identify areas of change. The conceptual framework is constructed of six factors important to palliative care that have been identified from the literature. These are personal death anxiety, organizational structure of the hospital system, role expectations of professionals, teamwork, education and training for care of the dying, and conveyance and exchange of diagnostic information. The sample surveyed by a written questionnaire included physicians, psychiatrists, health care workers, social workers and pastoral care workers from the Geriatric Division of Riverview Hospital, Port Coquitlam. The findings indicate that age, sex, marital status and length of working experience at Riverview Hospital had no significant association with personal death anxiety. Informal education such as workshops and in-services had a significant correlation with personal death anxiety, as did perception of being competent and/or confident about working with the dying. The study also raised concerns that not all was being done for the dying patients and their families at this institution. Suggestions such as education and training, support mechanisms, and less stereotyping of professional roles were offered to improve this situation. As well, findings indicated that there was a need for palliative care service either in the form of a team or separate unit, or simply the practicing of the palliative care philosophy. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

The purpose of this study was to explore spiritual and psychological issues as experienced by persons who know they have a terminal illness. An existentialphenomenological method was chosen to understand and articulate the structure and meaning underlying the experience of living with the knowledge that one has a terminal illness. The study had its genesis at the bedside(s) of people who were dying, yet living or living, yet dying. The experience of knowing one has a terminal illness serves to bring life and consciousness to those who may have otherwise continued to live unconsciously, to exist in a potentially weary and dormant state, oblivious to the fact that life was passing them by. The evidence of experience of knowing what it means to have a terminal illness exists in the words and expressions of the twenty-one people who graciously participated in this study as co-researchers. They have given testimony of their own experience to those of us who seek to understand that experience, to understand what it means to have a terminal illness, to confront one's end to life as it is known, to embrace life or to prepare to die. For some it was a single in-depth interview, for others there were numerous indepth interviews over the course of two to eleven months. Eight of the twenty-one coresearcher narratives were presented in this study. Each interview was recorded by audio and video tape, the former being used for transcription. Subsequently, transcriptions were reviewed for accuracy. As a measure of trustworthiness, themes were identified by the principal investigator and presented in the context of the narrative to the coresearchers who confirmed the data and validated the themes. Implications based on the themes identified in this study are presented under theory development, professional practice and future research. One of the strongest implications pertains to clinical practice in that the results could serve as the framework for a palliative care program which models palliative care as defined by the World Health Organization. The co-researchers were eager to tell their stories and to speak their truth with the hope that the care of persons with terminal illness would some day include care of people as whole persons—physical, psychological and spiritual. / Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies / Graduate

This study investigates socialization and ideal expectations for the health professional role in the provision of quality terminal care. Guiding the research are role theory, socialization theory, and Talcott Parsons' (1951) pattern variables. The research was conducted in three phases. The first phase involved development of an analytical framework elaborating upon Parsons' five pattern variables, which were first conceptualized as dimensions describing the ways in which roles could vary. Specific indicators for each of the pattern variables were developed. Typologies characterizing (1) the medical, or conventional, model and (2) the holistic model (specifically, the hospice model) for the provision of health care based on these indicators then were developed. Using the analytical framework, the second and third phases consisted of: (1) a content analysis of the physician and nurse socialization literature to determine the role prescriptions learned by these health professionals; and (2) a content analysis of open-ended interviews with a group (N = 94) of terminally ill elderly patients (n = 17), family members (n = 38), and health professionals (n = 39) from 10 urban health care programs (five conventional and five hospice) to identify ideal role expectations for the health professional. Major findings were that: (1) Parsons' pattern variables, with elaboration, can provide a useful framework for role analysis; (2) physicians and nurses appear to be socialized to a number of role prescriptions consistent with the medical model, although there is evidence of conflicting socialization (to both models) for some role prescriptions; (3) respondents' expectations generally were consistent with those prescribed by the hospice model with some notable exceptions; (4) the role expectations of the three groups of respondents were more congruent than was expected, although subgroups' (conventional versus hospice) expectations tended to differ. Implications of the findings for: (1) role analysis; (2) socialization of health professionals to minimize role strain and conflict with patients and families; (3) continued implementation of conventional and hospice models for the provision of quality terminal care; (4) assessment of the quality of terminal care are explored; and (5) further research are explored.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Architecture

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Architecture

Bakgrund; Historiskt sett har palliativ vård varit en del av sjuksköterskans ansvarsområde. Sjuksköterskans roll inom palliativ vård är relationsskapande, stödjande, kommunikativ och koordinerad. Syfte; Syftet i den föreliggande litteraturstudien var att beskriva sjuksköterskors upplevelser av att arbeta med patienter i ett palliativt skede samt att beskriva undersökningsgruppen i de inkluderande studierna. Metod; Denna litteraturstudie har en deskriptiv design och baseras på tolv vetenskapliga studier med kvalitativ ansats publicerade mellan år 2006-2016. De vetenskapliga studierna identifierades i databaserna PubMed och Cinahl. Studiernas innehåll granskades utifrån likheter och olikheter. Antal deltagare, bortfall, ålder, könsfördelning samt yrkesverksamma år som sjuksköterska granskades i den medologiska aspekten. Huvudresultat; Fyra huvudteman identifierades av författarna; Svårigheter att bibehålla sin professionella roll, Upplevelser vid etiska dilemman, Krävande och givande upplevelser i mötet mellan sjuksköterska och patient och Upplevelser av otillräcklighet och osäkerhet. Gällande granskning av studiernas undersökningsgrupper påvisades att majoriteten av deltagarna var kvinnor. Slutsats; Enligt tidigare studier upplevde sjuksköterskorna det krävande att arbeta med patienter i ett palliativt skede. I denna litteraturstudie framkom det tydliga kunskapsluckor hos sjuksköterskorna gällande patienters symtom, behandling samt hur olika svåra situationer skulle hanteras. Detta påvisar att det behövs mer kontinuerlig utbildning inom palliativ vård. / Background; Historically palliative care has been a part of the nurse's responsibility. The nurse's role in palliative care is relationship-building, supportive, communicative and coordinated. Aim; The aim of the present literatur review was to describe nurses' experiences of working with patients in a palliative stage and to describe the investigation group in the including studies. Methods; This literature review has a descriptive design and is based on twelve scientific studies with a qualitative approach and were published between the years 2006-2016. The scientific studies were found in the databases PubMed and Cinahl. The content of the studies were reviewed on the basis of their similarities and differences. Number of participants, dropout, age, gender and number of years in work as a nurse were reviewed in the methodological aspect. Results; Four main themes were identified by the authors; Difficulties to maintain their professional role, Experiences of ethical dilemmas, Demanding and rewarding experiences in the meeting between the nurse and patient and Experiences of inadequacy and insecurity. The current review of the studies investigation group showed that the majority of participants were women. Conclusions; According to previous studies, the nurses experiences were demanding while working with patients in a palliative stage. This literature review showed clear gaps in the nurses knowledge regarding patient symptoms, treatment and how different difficult situations should be handled. This demonstrates the need for more continuous education in palliative care.

Thesis (MCur)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The National Cancer Association of South Africa estimates that over 80,000 of South Africans currently die from cancer each year, whilst statistics show an increase in newly diagnosed cancer cases. Despite an improvement in cure rates, cancer, because of its association with pain, suffering and death, still affects human beings in their totality. It has been demonstrated that effective psychosocial care, as provided by oncology nurses, improve the outcomes for cancer patients. Therefore, nurses’ attitudes towards caring for patients that are dying are of vital importance to the quality of care provided to these patients. Attitudes towards caring for patients that are dying may be influenced by the demographic factors of oncology nurses, such as age, workplace and years of experience in oncology. It may also depend on the degree of work satisfaction and by the nature of the work environment, particularly regarding the level of support being offered to the nurse. The purpose of this study hence was to explore the influences of demographic and work environment factors on nurses’ attitudes towards caring for patients that are dying in oncology settings in the Western Cape Metropole. The objectives of this study were to determine oncology nurses’ attitudes towards caring for patients that are dying, to determine the degree of work satisfaction experienced by these nurses, to determine the perceived supportive nature of their work environments, and to establish and examine any relationships between oncology nurses’ attitudes towards caring for patients that are dying and demographic factors, work satisfaction and a supportive work environment. This study was theoretically underpinned by Paterson and Zderad’s (quoted in Praeger, 2002) humanistic nursing theory and Peplau’s (quoted in Belcher & Brittian Fish, 2002) interpersonal relations in nursing theory, because of their relevance to palliative care. A quantitative research approach, with a descriptive design, was selected to conduct the study. The target population was all the oncology nurses, caring for patients that are dying in palliative and oncology settings in the Western Cape Metropole. A convenience sample of 127 oncology nurses was selected in three different, but typical oncology settings, namely a state hospital, a private hospital and three hospices. Data was collected by means of a selfreporting questionnaire. A pilot study was done, in order to assure the validity and reliability of the data collection instrument. Ethical approval was obtained in advance from the Ethical Research Committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Stellenbosch. Written consent was obtained beforehand from the managers of the three oncology settings where the research was conducted, as well as from the participants. The main findings of this study were that the majority of the respondents displayed positive attitudes towards caring for patients that are dying. In addition, most of the respondents experienced a high degree of work satisfaction and also regarded their work environments as supportive. Significant relationships were found between positive attitudes towards caring for patients that are dying and: • hospice settings; • higher age and; • rank of the professional nurse. The overall recommendation that was made was that continuing education in all aspects of palliative care be regarded as an essential strategy in maintaining and further enhancing positive attitudes amongst oncology nurses towards caring for patients that are dying. In addition, coping strategies needed to be widely implemented to help oncology nurses cope with their emotions and anxieties. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Nasionale Kankervereniging van Suid-Afrika beraam dat meer as 80,000 Suid-Afrikaners huidig jaarliks aan kanker sterf, terwyl statistieke ‘n toename in die aantal nuwe gevalle van kanker toon. Ten spyte van ‘n toename in die sukses van behandeling, beïnvloed kanker, weens sy assosiasie met pyn, lyding en die dood, steeds die mens in sy totaliteit. Dit is bewys dat effektiewe psigososiale versorging deur onkologiese verpleegkundiges die uitkomstes van pasiënte met kanker verbeter. Daarom is die ingesteldhede van verpleegkundiges, jeens die versorging van pasiënte wat sterwend is, van kardinale belang in die kwaliteit van versorging wat aan hierdie pasiënte gebied word. Sodanige ingesteldhede mag deur demografiese faktore, soos ouderdom, werkplek, en jare ondervinding in onkologie, beїnvloed word. Dit mag ook van die mate van werksbevrediging en van die aard van die werksomgewing, spesifiek met betrekking tot die mate van ondersteuning wat aan die verpleegkundige gebied word, afhang. Die doel van hierdie studie was dus om die invloed van demografiese en werksomgewingsfaktore op die ingesteldhede van onkologiese verpleegkundiges, jeens die versorging van pasiënte wat sterwend is in onkologiese afdelings in die Wes-Kaapse Metropool, te ondersoek. Die doelwitte van hierdie studie was om die ingesteldhede van verpleegkundiges jeens die versorging van pasiënte wat sterwend is te bepaal, om hulle mate van werksbevrediging te bepaal, om hul persepsie van die ondersteunende aard van hul werksomgewing te bepaal, en om enige verband tussen onkologiese verpleegkundiges se ingesteldhede jeens die versorging van pasiënte wat sterwend is en demografiese faktore, werksbevrediging en die aard van ‘n ondersteunende werksomgewing te bepaal en te ondersoek. Hierdie studie is teoreties, vanweë hul relevansie tot palliatiewe sorg, deur Paterson en Zderad (aangehaal in Praeger, 2002) se humanistiese teorie en Peplau (aangehaal in Belcher & Brittian Fish, 2002) se interpersoonlike verhouding in verplegingsteorie, onderskraag. ‘n Kwantitatiewe navorsingsbenadering, met ‘n beskrywende ontwerp, is gekies om die studie mee uit te voer. Die populasie het al die onkologiese verpleegkundiges, wat sterwende en palliatiewe pasiënte in kankerafdelings in die Wes-Kaapse Metropool versorg, ingesluit. ‘n Gerieflikheidsteekproef van 127 onkologiese verpleegkundiges, in drie verskillende, maar tipiese kankerinstellings, is gekies, naamlik ‘n staatshospitaal, ‘n privaathospitaal en drie hospitiums. Datainsameling is deur middel van ‘n self-gerapporteerde vraelys gedoen. ‘n Loodsstudie is uitgevoer om die geldigheid en betroubaarheid van die vraelys te verseker. Etiese goedkeuring is vooraf vanaf die Etiese Navorsingskomitee van die Fakulteit Gesondheidswetenskappe van die Universiteit van Stellenbosch verkry. Skriftelike toestemming is ook vooraf vanaf die bestuur van die instellings, waar die navorsing gedoen is, sowel as van die deelnemers verkry. Die hoofbevindings van hierdie studie was dat die meerderheid van die respondente positiewe ingesteldhede jeens die versorging van pasiënte wat sterwend is openbaar het. Boonop het die meeste respondente ’n hoë mate van werksbevrediging ervaar en hul werksomgewing as ondersteunend beskou. Beduidende verbande is getrek tussen positiewe ingesteldhede jeens die versorging van pasiënte wat sterwend is, en: • versorging in hospitiums; • hoër ouderdom en; • rang van professionele verpleegkundige. Die algemene aanbeveling wat gemaak kon word was dat deurlopende opleiding in alle aspekte van palliatiewe sorg, as ‘n grondliggende strategie beskou moet, ten einde positiewe ingesteldhede ten opsigte van die versorging van pasiënte wat sterwend is onder onkologiese verpleegundiges te behou en verder aan te moedig. Voorts behoort strategieë geïmplementeer te word om onkologiese verpleegkundiges te help met die hantering van hul emosionale behoeftes en vrese.