The most common end-of-life reflections: A survey of hospice and palliative nurses. Issue 4 (2nd April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ent, Michael R.; Gergis, Mary A.
• Is Part Of: Death studies. Volume 44:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 256
• Page End: 260
• Publication Date: 2020-04-02
• Subjects: Death -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Terminal care -- Periodicals; Death -- Moral and ethical aspects -- Periodicals; 306.9
• DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2018.1539053
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0748-1187

Abstract

Abstract: To identify the most common end-of-life reflections among terminally ill patients, 124 nurses from the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) completed an online, open-ended survey. Common themes of these reflections included concern for loved ones, regret, morbidity and mortality, gratitude, spirituality, legacy, and thoughts about acceptance or non-acceptance of impending death. Nurses reported that their patients were more concerned about their loved ones than their own morbidity and mortality. Common end-of-life reflections may serve as cues that hospice and palliative patients are self-initiating therapeutic life review.