Spiritual support interventions in nursing care for patients suffering death anxiety in the final phase of life

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate which activities from the 'Spiritual Support' intervention of the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) are used in patients with the nursing diagnosis 'Death Anxiety' in the Czech Republic, and which activities could feasibly be implemented into practice. METHOD: The study surveyed 468 Czech nurses using a quantitative questionnaire with Likert scales. RESULTS: The most frequently used activity was 'Treat individual with dignity and respect' and the least frequently used was 'Pray with the individual'. 'Treat individual with dignity and respect' was also thought to be the most feasible activity for Czech nursing practice. Significant differences were found between nurses working in hospices and those in other sites and between religious believers and non-believers. CONCLUSION: Even in the secularised Czech Republic, nurses can make use of the NIC Spiritual Support intervention in end-of-life care.