ATTITUDES OF NURSES TOWARD THE DEATH OF PATIENTS IN HOSPITAL: A QUALITATIVE SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

With regard to attitude towards the death of patients, it is important to figure out the impact of nurses’ grief after a patient’s death as well as to understand and validate their emotions in order to support them and make the professional environment better and healthier, thus improving people’s well-being. With this in mind, this qualitative systematic review aims to synthesize some evidence found regarding nurses’ attitude towards the death of patients in hospitals. A qualitative systematic review of the literature was conducted. In the research process, 429 studies were identified, and 10 studies met the eligibility criteria. Both negative and positive behaviors have been identified in respect to attitude towards the death of patients. As negative aspects, nurses demonstrated a lack of preparation to deal with death, fear, avoidance, escape/abandonment behavior, neutrality or indifference, anxiety, despair and inhibition of feelings towards patients and their families, powerlessness, sadness, and hopelessness. On the other hand, positive coping attitudes which stood out were coming together, naturalness, communication with families, and spiritual resources. Overall, the studies reveal the need for stronger emphasis on education strategies in order to support end-of-life care knowledge and skills for nurses. The studies also identified possible benefits in improving education about the role of nurses, stimulating communication, and promoting lectures and reflection on attitude towards the death of patients.