The Factors Associated with a Support for Their Understanding of Prognosis by Visiting Nurses of Patients with End-stage Cancer

ABSTRACT

Purpose: We aimed to clarify the factors associated with the support for their understanding of prognosis by visiting nurses of patients with end-stage cancer likely involves a patient’s wish to die in a desired place. Methods: A cross-sectional nationwide anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted among visiting nurses at 1000 randomly selected home care agencies. Results: Three hundred seventy-four surveys were analyzed. An explanation of the prognosis with regard to daily life was provided to 27.8% of patients. Factors associated with the support given by nurses included notifying patients of a limited prognosis (odds ratio [OR], 3.22; 95% confidence interval [95%CI], 1.81-5.73), recognition of the support by the nurse (OR, 2.12; 95%CI, 1.02-4.43), nurses’ recognition of the patients’ need for a support (OR, 1.54; 95%CI, 1.08-2.21), and having experience in providing home care for at least five patients with end-stage cancer per year (OR, 1.78; 95%CI, 1.04-3.05). Conclusions: The findings suggested that promoting the aforementioned four items is necessary to allow patients their wish to die in a desired place and for visiting nurses to support for their understanding of prognosis.