Registered nurses’ experiences of communication with patients after the end-of-life breakpoint communication: A pilot interview study

Abstract

Purpose: Effective nurse-patient communication is demanding and essential when patients’ treatment changes from curative to palliative approach. We aimed to illustrate nurses’ experiences communicating with patients who have undergone end-of-life breakpoint communication. Method: Six nurses from both haematology and oncology wards at a hospital in southern Sweden were interviewed. The data were analysed using content analysis. Result: Three themes with a total of eight categories were identified: Nurses were excluded from the end-of-life breakpoint communication, which impacted the following communication and the dialogue between nurses and patients afterwards; the importance of communication, where the experience of following-up patients, supporting patients and having existential conversations was highlighted; the nurses’ strategies in the communication, included experience of using tools, the need for more information and education, and to be human. Conclusion: Nurses in today's healthcare system need education to provide the care and the communication that patients ask for and are obligated to receive regarding support and information. In the results, nurses suggest and relate their strategies for effective patient communication, which would also aid nurses working in areas other than palliative care. For example, they propose collaborating more with physicians to facilitate better information flow and patient contact. Moreover, reflective tutorials, including spiritual leaders to aid patients’ existential concerns, are beneficial. The need for further research in this area is crucial for the growth and development of nurse-patient communication.

Keywords

• Communication
• End-of-life breakpoint communication
• Fundamentals of care
• Nursing, Palliative care