Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1986. / Running title: Caregivers' health.

Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on March 30, 2010). The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file. Dissertation advisor: Dr. Debra Parker Oliver. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, Mass., 1999. / Abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-114).

No description available.

Hospice nurses are primary professional caregivers providing end-of-life care to dying patients and their families. The terminal care practices often place heavy physical, emotional, and spiritual demands on hospice nurses. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of Taiwanese nurses who care for dying patients in hospices. The research question that guided this study was: What is the lived experience of Taiwanese hospice nurses who caring for dying patients? The conceptual orientation of this study was based on Paterson and Zderad’s (1976) Humanistic Nursing Theory, which is rooted in phenomenology, intersubjectivity, and existential thought. A snowball sampling technique was employed to recruit 14 female participants who worked in six different hospices in central and southern Taiwan. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted and transcribed by the researcher. The data analysis was based on Colaizzi’s (1978) guidelines. Four main themes and three sub-themes emerged from thematic analysis. The four main themes are: (1) entering the specialty of hospice, (2) managing everyday work, (3) living with the challenges, and (4) reaping the rewards. Three sub-themes of managing everyday work include providing holistic, meaningful care through close relationships; confronting and managing negative beliefs about hospice; and managing the dying process. These main themes and subthemes constituted the fundamental structure of these hospice nurses’ caregiving experiences which was an evolving journey. The results of this study provide nursing educators, students, staff and administrators insights into the hospice nurses’ experience and hospice care in Taiwan. They can use these data to improve nursing education and change nursing practice. Additionally, researchers can design further studies to expand nursing knowledge to advance staff development and improve quality care for dying patients and their families. / text

This study examines the misconception issues that influence the underutilization of hospice services by African Americans. This descriptive study was based on the premise that there is no relationship between African Americans’ knowledge of hospice and their decision to utilize hospice. The results revealed that African Americans who completed the survey indicated they understand what hospice is; however the answers provided in the survey were not congruent. The conclusions drawn from the findings suggest that African Americans have misconceptions about hospice, and not a true understanding of what hospice is or how to use the service.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 139-164).

The aim of this pilot study, which was carried out under the auspices of the Grahamstown Hospice, is to evaluate the functioning of families with a terminally ill member, in order to establish whether these families require family therapy. The Family Assessment Device (FAD), based on the McMaster Model of Family Functioning, was used. Data from 20 families was analysed and the extent to which these families constitute a clinical sample is highlighted. In terms of the dimension of General Functioning, 15 families emerged as functioning at a problematic level. Communication emerged as the most dysfunctional of the seven dimensions of the FAD, with 17 families functioning at a problematic level. As a result of these findings it is argued that family therapy should be incorporated into the range of services offered by hospices. Limitations of this study and directions for future research are also discussed.

This study examines barriers limiting access to hospice care for elderly African Americans. Ethnic background plays a critical role in the development of attitudes, beliefs and expectations related to death and issues surrounding hospice care. The purpose of this study was to identify barriers that may limit access to hospice care for African Americans. A questionnaire was administered to 56 elderly African Americans in three religious settings and an African American senior citizens center. The questionnaire was designed to obtain information concerning African Americans' attitudes toward death and dying; religious beliefs; health beliefs; familiarity with hospice and prospective use of hospice. The results of the study indicate a number of barriers in access to hospice care for African Americans including: hospice knowledge barriers; education/outreach barriers; cultural knowledge barriers related to death/dying values; family/social support barriers; hospice organizational/provider barriers; health care organizational/provider barriers; and reimbursement barriers.

Thesis (M. Soc. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1992.