Year: 1988
Type: dissertation
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: This study addressed the problem of inadequate attention to the emotional aspect of nursing care. The literature attributes this problem both to nurses1 avoidance of dying patients and to their poor communication skills. Based on review of the deatwdying literature including previous studies conducted to educate nurses regarding death/dying and training in communication skills, an inservice training program was developed for nurses. It sought to promote increased awareness of and sensitivity to patients1 emotional distress when experiencing loss and to provide the nurses with communication skills to cope more effectively. The inservice training program was based on a phenomenological-fulfillment model and used an integrative approach recommended by Carkhuff with didactic, experiential and modeling components. The program, involving ten contact hours over a five-week period, was given to ten nurses and one occupational therapist from medical wards in an acute-care hospital. In the quasi-experimental design used to evaluate the inservice training program, two null hypotheses were tested. One sought to determine attitudinal changes using a Death Attitude Questionnaire. The second examined written and audio-taped responses of subjects in a helper's role. Two independent, trained raters evaluated the responses according to Carkhuff's Index of Communication. A t-test was used to compare the preand post-training scores and the questionnaire items were correlated with the independent variables. A third hypothesis investigated the post-training changes observed in nursing care on the ward. Analysis of descriptive data included preand postprogram samplings of nurses' charting and handovers, a post-program interview of the charge nurse, and a case study of one participant which involved preand post-program shadowing and interviews. Results of the study showed no significant attitudinal change as measured by the Death Attitude Questionnaire. Significant improvements occurred on the measures for written and verbal responses of the participants indicating an increased ability to communicate empathically. Data from the work setting showed mixed results. Some
Source: Summit (Simon Fraser University)
Author: Loretta Wideen
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Simon Fraser University
OpenAlex ID: W2149531927