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Nurses’ Experiences and Factors Related to Their Attitudes Regarding Discussions with Patients and Family Members about Do-Not-Resuscitate Decisions and Life-Sustaining Treatment Withdrawal: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Hsiao-Ting Chang

    (Department of Family Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
    School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan)

  • Ming-Hwai Lin

    (Department of Family Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
    School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan)

  • Chun-Ku Chen

    (School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
    Department of Radiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan)

  • Tzeng-Ji Chen

    (Department of Family Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
    Institute of Hospital and Health Care Administration, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan)

  • Shinn-Jang Hwang

    (Department of Family Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
    School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan)

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate nurses’ experiences and factors related to their attitudes regarding discussions of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) and withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment (LST) with patients and their families. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Taiwan. Nurses aged ≥ 20 years who were in charge of acute inpatient care were randomly recruited. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to evaluate participants’ experiences and attitudes regarding discussions of DNR and LST withdrawal for terminal patients. Logistic regression with adjustment for covariates was used to analyze factors related to participants’ attitudes toward discussions about DNR and LST withdrawal with patients and families in the future care of terminal patients. The participants were 132 nurses. They had significantly more discussions about DNR and LST withdrawal with patients’ families than with patients. Regression analysis showed that participants who had past experiences in actively initiating DNR discussions with patients or patients’ families were significantly more likely to discuss DNR with patients in the future care of terminal patients, but participants aged 40.0 to 60.0 years were significantly less likely to have DNR discussions than those aged 20.0 to 29.9 years. Experiences of actively initiated DNR or LST discussions with patients’ families were significantly more likely to discuss DNR with patients’ families, but those aged 40.0 to 60.0 years were also significantly less likely to have DNR discussions than those aged 20.0 to 29.9 years. Experience in actively initiating discussions about LST withdrawal with patients’ families, being male, and possessing an education level higher than university were significantly related to LST withdrawal discussions with terminal patients or their families in the future. In conclusion, there need to be more discussions about DNR and LST withdrawal with patients. To protect patients’ autonomy and their rights to make decisions about their DNR and LST, measures are needed to facilitate DNR and LST discussions with patients to ensure better end-of-life care.

Suggested Citation

  • Hsiao-Ting Chang & Ming-Hwai Lin & Chun-Ku Chen & Tzeng-Ji Chen & Shinn-Jang Hwang, 2020. "Nurses’ Experiences and Factors Related to Their Attitudes Regarding Discussions with Patients and Family Members about Do-Not-Resuscitate Decisions and Life-Sustaining Treatment Withdrawal: A Hospita," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-12, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:2:p:557-:d:309103
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Melissa J Bloomer & Ruth Endacott & Kristen Ranse & Maureen A Coombs, 2017. "Navigating communication with families during withdrawal of life‐sustaining treatment in intensive care: a qualitative descriptive study in Australia and New Zealand," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 26(5-6), pages 690-697, March.
    2. Qingyu Zhao & Xiaodan Zhang & Yi Fang & Jian Gong & Baochun Gu & Gang Ma, 2014. "Current Situation and Associated Factors of Withdrawing or Withholding Life Support to Patients in an Intensive Care Unit of Cancer Center in China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(5), pages 1-7, May.
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