Research roundup

摘要

Effective communication between patients, families and healthcare providers is a central component of end-of-life (EOL) care. There is a lack of quality research about the interactions that take place between nurses, patients and family members at the EOL, when the need is greatest. What we do not know is the level of expertise and experience required in order to provide high standards of care at the end of life and the factors that impinge on nurses providing this level of care. The study formed part of a larger, multisite study that used qualitative, empirical phenomenology design and focus group data gathered from pediatric oncology nurses with more than 5 years of experience not involved in the direct evaluation of other nurses. The aim of the research was to describe the common recurring themes from nurses' perceptions about communication when providing palliative and end of life care, and their perceptions of barriers and facilitators to effective communication.