Assessment of Oncology Nurses’ and Physicians’ Attitudes Toward Death and End-of-Life Care,Along With Contributing Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Providing care for terminally ill patients presents a complex challenge for nurses and physicians, often leading to psychological concerns and significant physical and emotional distress for patients, their families, and healthcare providers. The intricacies of managing end-of-life care can evoke a range of feelings, including fear, anxiety, and sadness, which can affect the quality of care delivered. Understanding these dynamics is essential for improving the support systems for both healthcare professionals and patients during this critical time. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the attitudes toward death and end-of-life care among nurses and physicians and to investigate whether these attitudes are influenced by specific demographic characteristics, including gender, years of experience, previous education on death and dying, previous experience in dealing with terminally ill persons, previous experience with loss, present experience with loss, and the influence of religious beliefs. By examining these attitudes, the research seeks to identify potential areas for intervention and education that could enhance the overall approach to end-of-life care in oncology settings. Method: A total of 200 oncology nurses and physicians were recruited through a non-probability convenience sampling method from a specialized oncology hospital in Jordan. Participants were asked to complete a comprehensive questionnaire that included a demographic data sheet and Frommelt’s Attitude Toward Care of the Dying - B scale. This scale is designed to measure attitudes toward caring for dying patients, providing valuable insights into the perspectives of healthcare professionals in this challenging field. Results: The findings indicated that the majority of nurses and physicians held a positive attitude toward death (FATCOD = 106.31), suggesting a general comfort with the concept of death and the process of dying. Additionally, statistically significant correlations were found between attitudes toward death and demographic factors, specifically, female nurses had significantly higher scores on the FATCOD scale compared to male nurses (p = .003); participants with prior experience caring for terminally ill patients had more positive attitudes (p = .047); increased years of professional experience were associated with higher scores (p < .001); participants who received education on death and dying had significantly better attitudes (p < .001); personal experiences with loss correlated with more positive attitudes (p = .001); and those whose religious beliefs strongly influenced their attitudes scored higher (p < .001). These associations highlight the multifaceted nature of attitudes toward death and the various influences that shape them. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that end-of-life care can induce a range of emotions that significantly impact the attitudes of nurses and physicians toward caring for patients at the end of life. As well as it was also found that healthcare professionals with more clinical experience in caring for terminally ill patients generally exhibited more positive attitudes toward death. Additionally, education on death and personal religious beliefs were identified as key factors influencing these attitudes. These insights suggest the need for enhanced educational initiatives and support systems to prepare healthcare providers for the emotional challenges of end-of-life care, ultimately improving patient experiences during this critical time.