Nurses supporting life-partners conversations about end-of-life care wishes: a literature review for guidelines

Abstract

Setting: Nurses providing end-of-life care.

Objective: A literature review was conducted to establish what guidelines are available for nurses to encourage discussions between life-partners about end-of-life care wishes.

Subjects: Life-partners and nurses.

Primary argument: This literature review located articles that addressed the impact terminal illness, culture and established communication patterns have on end-of-life discussions for the broad group of family members and carers. Articles generally presented the challenges doctors, nurses and other health care professionals face in speaking about end-of-life care wishes with patients, carers and family members. However, articles relating to conversations specifically between life-partners about end-of-life care wishes were not evident. This is surprising because frequently the life-partner is the primary care giver during the end-of-life care phase of a life limiting illness. Furthermore, literature indicates life-partners who are able to speak freely about most life issues adjust better to the challenges that events such as illness, may present to them as a couple.

Conclusion: By using the main themes identified within the literature review from discussions held by family members, nurses and health professionals it may be possible to develop guidelines for life-partners. The use of a guideline may assist nurses in encouraging life-partners to have conversations about end-of-life care wishes. This will not only acknowledge the uniqueness of the relationship between life-partners, but also contribute to providing holistic patient centred care for each couple.