Date of Conferral
2022
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Nursing
Advisor
Mary Martin
Abstract
AbstractPatients diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) receiving dialysis experience increased symptom burden and multiple hospitalizations as the disease progresses. Dialysis nurses are charged with involving ESRD patients in decisions regarding their care and advance care planning for end-of- life; however, discussions about end-of-life care do not consistently occur. Providing advance care planning is important to involve the patient in their end-of-life care needs. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study guided by the theory of planned behavior was to explore the experiences of nurses who provide advance care planning to patients receiving dialysis therapy. Eight participants volunteered to participate in one-on-one semistructured interviews that incorporated open-ended questions to elicit responses as data for this study. Thematic analysis of the transcripts was used to identify three themes that contribute to dialysis nurse experiences with advance care planning: (a) education, (b) support, and (c) environment; education dominated as the overarching theme. Recommendations include providing education and support for dialysis nurses on how to provide effective advance care planning to patients in the dialysis setting. Further research is warranted to understand dialysis nurses’ perceptions of advance care planning policies on the state and federal level in the dialysis setting. Findings from this study have potential implications for positive social change by strengthening nursing practice, informing advance care planning policies, and improving quality of life outcomes for dialysis patients.
Recommended Citation
Mullen, Sheree, "Experiences of Nurses Who Provide Advance Care Planning in the Dialysis Setting" (2022). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 12794.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/12794
