Do nurses participate in end-of-life decision making?

Abstract

Background: To explore how Jordanian nurses participate in the end-of-life (EoL) decision-making process.

Methods: Interviews with 10 patients and family caregivers, and focus group discussions with seven healthcare professionals (HCPs), were conducted. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed following inductive thematic analysis.

Findings: The participants agreed that nurses are not fully engaged and did not have a direct role in the EoL decision-making process. However, the participants highlighted that 'nurses bridge the gaps in the decision-making process', where nurses act as mediators to facilitate the decision-making process. Lastly, nurses were viewed as 'nurturers and supporters during the journey of the patient's illness'; they were always available to answer their questions, offer help and advise when necessary during palliative referral and throughout the illness.

Conclusions: Although nurses did not directly participate in EoL decisions, they have several vital contributions that need to be rearranged into structured decisional coaching.