| Theme | Seeking for nursing which responds to the individual needs of the patients -- from the perspective of decision-making support | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Provision of nursing care with the goal of dignified life closure to a elderly dialysis patient with death anxiety | |
| Publish Date | 2017/10 | |
| Author | Yuka Ohga | Department of Nursing, Akaiwa Medical Association Hospital |
| [ Summary ] | Nursing care with the goal of "dignified life closure" was provided to a dialysis patient with death anxiety. Caregiving was analyzed based on the stages of the illness trajectory theory. The types of support provided were "support by continuing to show interest in the patient" in the crisis stage and "support in relieving the patient of a burden" in the unstable stage. Some of the interventions were "support in decision making regarding choice of treatment," "active listening," and "promotion of anticipatory grief of the patient's family." In the unstable stage, teamwork that allowed for work adjustments wherever necessary was crucial to meet the vacillating needs of the patient. In the stable stage, the patient was able to maintain a sense of control on the time left. During the downward stage, when dialysis became an invasive treatment, palliative treatment, such as shortening the dialysis time, was considered. Overall, it was found to be important to build a trust-based relationship with patients. |
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