Premium
Staff Carers' Understanding of End of Life Care
Author(s) -
Friedman Sandra L.,
Choueiri Roula,
Gilmore Dana
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of policy and practice in intellectual disabilities
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.592
H-Index - 30
eISSN - 1741-1130
pISSN - 1741-1122
DOI - 10.1111/j.1741-1130.2007.00142.x
Subject(s) - intervention (counseling) , medicine , nursing , end of life care , presentation (obstetrics) , meaning (existential) , psychology , family medicine , palliative care , radiology , psychotherapist
Staff carers in pediatric skilled nursing facilities (PSNF) deal directly with dying residents, and are on the forefront of communication with families. These providers have expressed misunderstandings regarding the meaning of resuscitation status and redirection of care. This descriptive study evaluated perceptions and understanding of end of life issues by the staff in a PSNF who provide care for individuals with severe developmental disabilities and complex medical problems. A 16‐item pre‐intervention survey was administered to the staff prior to an informational presentation explaining issues related to end of life care. An 8‐item post‐intervention survey assessed any change in understanding of these issues. A total of 55 persons completed either a pre‐ or post‐intervention survey; 47 staff completed both surveys. While most staff carers were comfortable with providing care for patients with serious illnesses or needing comfort measures (narcotics, oxygen) when they are dying, they are significantly less comfortable with discontinuation of feeds or routine medications at the end of life. Observed was a significant increase in those who indicated it is acceptable to stop feedings for a dying patient in the post‐intervention survey, but there no significant difference in understanding of definition of DNR before or after the intervention. Authors note the need to provide more comprehensive information and support to assist staff carers to understand aspects of end of life care in a PSNF setting.