Death Anxiety and Caring for Dying Patients Among Oncology Nurses
摘要
Purpose: To explore nurses’ death anxiety and attitudes regarding care for dying patients among oncology nurses. Research questions focus on identifying the death anxiety and attitudes levels, as well as examining possible correlations between these variables. Method: A descriptive correlational research strategy was adopted. The research was conducted in a single oncology center in Bahrain, involving 153 oncology nurses. Inclusion criteria consisted of registered nurses working in oncology settings, while exclusion criteria included those not directly involved in patient care. Participants varied in experience and cultural backgrounds, reflecting the multinational nature of the nursing staff. Results: The mean of death anxiety level was 6.31 (SD = 2.49), and the mean attitude score of 92.65 (SD = 18.48) toward care for dying patients. No statistically significant correlation between death anxiety and attitudes toward care (r = -0.069, p = 0.399), nor significant differences in death anxiety or attitudes were found among nurses working in different oncology units. Conclusion: Oncology nurses in Bahrain experience moderate levels of death anxiety, which do not significantly correlate with their attitudes regarding providing care for dying patients. These results stress the importance of addressing death anxiety through targeted education and support programs. Implications for policy and practice: Oncology centers should implement support programs that foster open discussions about death to help reduce death anxiety between nurses. In addition, education programs with a main focus on coping with death and dying patient can improve nurses’ well-being.