Survey of Supportive behavior's magnitude in providing end of life care to terminally ill pediatric patients from nurse's perspective in 2014

In recent years، the number of children with incurable diseases and their EOL care requirements has increased alongside the developments in technology. Throughout history، nurses have sought ways to improve EOL care. Gaining an increased understanding of nurses’ perceptions of changes that would facilitate appropriate EOL care is important to improve quality care. This study، therefore، was conducted to determine pediatric nurses’ perceptions of intensity، frequency of occurrence of supportive behaviors in providing pediatrics EOL care. Using a translated modified version of (NSCCNR-EOL) questionnaire perception of 151 convenient nurses of supportive behaviors intensity and frequency was assessed. The highest/lowest PSM scores belonged to items respectively: “providing a peaceful، dignified bedside scene for family members once the child has died” (5/75) in health – care professional related category and “letting the religious leader take primary care of the grieving family” (1/08) in organizational related category. Some demographic characteristics of nurses including family and close friends'' death experience (P=0/01)، number of dying children cared for (P=0/01) and previous education toward death and dying (P=0/01، 0/04، 0/04) was positively correlated with PSM scores. The result may indicate a long distance between what nurses believe to be facilitating and what actually happens. Creating a reflective narrative environment in which nurses can express their feelings about death and dying may be an effective approach. A continuing palliative care education adding to nursing curriculum can improve the EOL care quality.