Date of Award

11-29-2021

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MScN)

First Advisor

Dr Tazeen Saeed Ali

Second Advisor

Ms. Sajida Chagani

Third Advisor

Ms. Sharifa Lalani

Department

School of Nursing and Midwifery, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: CKD (chronic kidney disease) is one of the significant health crises impacting patients and their families physically, emotionally, socially, and economically. Furthermore, after the patient's death, the family suffers from grief, anxiety, stress, and depression. Therefore, there is a need to support the family and provide them an opportunity to ventilate their emotions. Hemodialysis nurses have a special connection with the patients and their families, due to the several visits at the hemodialysis unit for the hemodialysis sessions, because the nature of the chronic disease, therefore they are expected to respond with regards to condolence calls after patient’s expiry. Condolence calls have shown a positive impact on family’s psychological health. However, as per the researcher’s knowledge, no studies have been conducted in Pakistan that have explored the nurses’ perceptions regarding response to condolence calls.
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore nurses' perceptions regarding responding to condolence calls, at the hemodialysis unit of the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
Methodology: A qualitative descriptive exploratory approach was used to explore the nurses' perceptions regarding responding to condolence calls. The study was conducted among nurses in the outpatient hemodialysis unit of a private tertiary care hospital, in Karachi, Pakistan. A purposive sampling method was used and a total of 11 nurses were recruited for individual and focus group discussion. A semi-structured guide was used for data collection. The findings of the study were analyzed through content analysis.
Findings: The findings of the study revealed five major themes: (i) significance and clinical aspects of condolence call; (ii) core competencies of nurses for condolence call; (iii) personal, cultural, and ethical perspectives; (iv) practical implementation of the ecological framework. The findings showed the nurses’ perceptions regarding condolence call and its impact on family’s psychological health. Furthermore, it was found that nurses should have some core competencies for responding to condolence calls, including empathy, emotional stability, effective communication skills, and critical thinking for situational analysis. Moreover, practical implementation of the ecological framework can facilitate nurses to get familiar with condolence calls and to develop the relevant skills.
Conclusion: The results of the study provided essential recommendations for health care professionals at nursing schools and other health care organizations, for implementing the process of condolence calls. The study highlighted the importance of condolence calls and their influence on bereaved families. This study is a kind of basic study that describes the essential competencies and etiquette required for a condolence call.

First Page

1

Last Page

98

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