The involvement of nurses in end-of-life decision making: a cross cultural exploration

• Grant number: 11/50181-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: May 01, 2011
• End date: April 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nursing
• Agreement: University of Surrey
• Principal Investigator: Regina Szylit
• Grantee: Regina Szylit
• Principal researcher abroad: Ann Gallagher
• Institution abroad: University of Surrey, England
• Host Institution: Escola de Enfermagem (EE). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Developments in medical technology and pharmacology make it possible to extend life, to alleviate pain and to hasten death at the end of life. End of life (EOL) decision-making is, therefore, becoming increasingly complex and challenging for health professionals and also for patients and families. Nurses are active participants in end-of-life decision-making. As such, it is important to consider what involvement they have and what influences are brought to bear on that process. The project aims: to identify the range of EOL decisions that nurses see themselves either making or contributing to; to identify features of the decision-making process; to describe the nature of nurses' involvement in EOL decision-making; to explore factors in two different cultural contexts (Brazil and UK) that influence nurses' EOL decision-making; and to develop educational materials to assist nurses to engage ethically with EOL decision-making. A literature review is currenly underway and will inform the study design, however, it is invisaged that this will be a mixed-methods study involving: qualitative interviews with nurses; and a survey using a previously validated questionnaire. Outputs will include: the development of an international research team; a research report; publications in high impact nursing and ethics journals; and research seminars in both universities. (AU)