End of life care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study on the perspectives of nurses and nurse assistants.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

To explore nurses' and nurse assistants' experiences of providing end-of-life care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Austria, Germany and Northern Italy.

Design

A qualitative explorative interview study.

Method

Data were collected between August and December 2020 and analysed using content analysis. Healthcare professionals (nurses (n = 30), nurse coordinators (n = 6) and nurse assistants (n = 5)) from hospitals (n = 32) and long-term care facilities (n = 9) in Austria, Germany and Northern Italy were interviewed for this study.

Results

Five main categories were identified as follows: (i) end-of-life care involves love and duty, (ii) last wishes and dignity of the patient, (iii) communication with the family, (iv) organizational and religious aspects and (v)

SUBMITTER: Podgorica N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10170946 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature