Bachelor of Nursing Studies

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Title:
A quantitative study of the attitude, knowledge and
experience of staff nurses on prioritizing comfort
measures in care of the dying patient in an acute
hospital setting.

Research Proposal submitted to the University of Dublin Trinity

College, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Bachelor
in Nursing Studies

9th March 2011

I hereby declare that this research proposal is entirely my own
work and has not been submitted as an exercise for
assessment at this or any other University.

Signed:………………………………………………………

Print Name:

Date:

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Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank and gratefully acknowledges the following people,
who helped make this project possible: my mother for her continued support, my
husband and daughter for keeping me going and my uncle who proof read my
work.

A special thank you goes my tutor and my facilitator for being so understanding
and supportive during the development of this research proposal. Their practical
guidance motivated me to keep going.

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 Contents

Title Page…………………………………………………………………………...i

Declaration ………………………………………………………………………...ii

Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………….iii

Contents Page…………………………………………………………………….iv

Abstract

…………………………………………………………………………....vi

CHAPTER 1

1.1 Introduction …………………………………………………………………....1

1.2 Literature Review..................................................................................... 1

1.3 Identification of the dying phase……………………………………………..2

1.4 Comfort Care .………………………………………………………………….4

1.5 Symptom Control………………………………………………………………6

1.6 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………...8

1.6 Research Problem……………………………………………………………..8

1.7 Research Question………………………………………………………….....8

1.8 Objectives…………………………………………………………………….....9

CHAPTER 2 – METHODOLOGY

2.1 Introduction to Research Method …………………………………………...10

2.2 Research Design………………………………………………………………10

2.3 Population/Sample…………………………………………………………….10

2.4 Data Collection………………………………………………………………....12

2.5 Validity &

Reliability…………………………………………………………....13
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2.6 Data Analysis…………………………………………………………………..14

2.7 Pilot Study………………………………………………………………………16

2.8 Ethical Considerations………………………………………………………...16

CHAPTER 3 – PROPOSED OUTCOME

3.1 Proposed outcome…………………………………………………………......18

3.2 Time scale……………………………………………………………………….19

3.3 Resources……………………………………………………………………….19

Reference List……………………………………………………………………….20

Bibliography………………………………………………………………………….23

Appendices…………………………………………………………………………..25

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 Abstract

Background:
When the prognosis for a patient is imminent death, hospice care concentrates on
the quality of life of the patient, reducing the severity of the disease symptoms
rather than vainly trying to treat the disease itself. To assist in delivery of this type
of quality end-of-life care to patients in acute hospitals the Irish Hospital
Foundation (IHF) developed a Hospice Friendly Hospital programme (HFH). This
HFH developed the Quality Standards for End-of-Life Care in Hospitals to set out a
shared vision for the type of end-of life care that each hospital should aim to
provide. This development is significant as almost 50% of those who die in Ireland
die in hospital and care of the dying in Irish hospitals, while regarded as good, is
described as ‘care at the end of life’ rather than ‘end-of-life care’ because the care
seems to lack an effective palliative care component” (McKeown et al. 2010,
p.158).

Literature Review
To investigate international perspectives on end-of-life care, the current
international literature was reviewed using the key themes of identifying the dying
phase, comfort care and symptom control for the dying patient. It was concluded
from the literature review that nurses and medical staff often differed in their
approach to care of the dying patient and this hindered effective delivery of end-of-
life care. Education on end-of-life care was recommended in the literature as
being a solution to the problems in delivering this care even though research had
not been done on the status quo in education.

Research Problem
It would seem necessary to first investigate the education and training levels of
nurses and doctors in end-of-life care and to investigate if attitudes and experience
also influence the medical and nursing models in the delivery of this care. This
research proposal is concerned only with the nursing perspective on end-of-life
care and the research question is: “What are the attitude, knowledge and
experience of nurses on prioritizing comfort measures for dying patients in an
acute hospital?”

Methodology
A quantitative approach using a descriptive design is proposed for this study.
Questionnaires will be used as the data collection method with a simple random
sample of 200 staff nurses employed in a Dublin hospital being selected as
participants in the study.

Proposed outcome of the study

It is hoped that the results of the study will ascertain nurses’ attitude, knowledge
and experience in the domain of comfort care of the dying in Ireland and indicate
what interventions are needed through education, training and management. It
is hoped that the research findings will also highlight the necessity for planning
on- going education and training for nurses in care of the dying.

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Chapter 1

1.1. Introduction
I propose to study the attitude, knowledge and experiences of nurses on
prioritizing comfort measures in care of the dying patient in an acute hospital
setting. I am particularly interested in this field as I worked in a hospice where
palliative care of the dying concentrated on the quality of life of the patient. When
the prognosis for the patient was imminent death, care was focused on reducing
the severity of the disease symptoms rather than vainly trying to stop or delay
development of the disease itself or provide a cure.

To assist in the delivery of similar quality end-of-life care to patients in acute

hospitals, the Irish Hospital Foundation (IHF) developed the Hospice Friendly
Hospital programme that respects the curative model of care but ensures that the
quality of life of the dying patient is valued (IHF 2010). This programme developed
the Quality Standards for End-of-Life Care in Hospitals in consultation with hospital
staff, professional bodies and others to set out a vision for the type of end-of life
care that each hospital should aim to provide.

In an audit conducted on the care-of the dying McKeown K. et al. (2010) noted that
the development of standards for end-of-life care was important as almost 50% of
those who die in Ireland die in hospital and this trend looks set to increase, for a
variety of reasons. In the audit the researchers draw the conclusion that care of
the dying in Irish hospitals is good but that it “tends to be generic rather than
specific in the sense that it might be more appropriate to describe it as ‘care at the
end of life’ rather than ‘end-of-life care’, because the care seems to lack an
effective palliative care component” (McKeown K. et al. 2010, p.158).

To investigate the current international perspectives on end-of-life care and its

delivery a review of recent literature on the topic was conducted.

2.Literature Review (See appendix I for details of search) The

literature review identified three key themes in end-of-life care:
(i) Identification of the Dying Phase
(ii) Comfort Care

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 (iii) Symptom Control
McKeown K. et al. (2010) stated that when patients have been diagnosed as
dying, their care goals should be adjusted to comfort care and symptom control.
Research studies on the care of the dying patient were reviewed under the above
headings to investigate the approaches to the delivery of this care.

1.3. Identification of the Dying Phase

Failure to recognise that a patient is dying affects the quality of end-of-life care
they receive (Thompson et al. 2006). The following recent research articles
discuss identification of the dying phase (Dalgaard et al. 2010, McKeown A. et al.
2010, Walker & Read et al. 2010 and Willard & Luker 2010).

In a qualitative study of terminal illness stages, Dalgaard et al. (2010) found that it
was important to note the late palliative phase as a progression towards death.
The research approach was one of observing various staff functions and
conducting informal interviews with patients (n=74), relatives (n=11), doctors and
nurses in a haematology department in an acute hospital in Denmark. The
unpredictability of haematological malignancies, patients’ and relatives’ lack of
acceptance of impending death and their investment of hope in further treatment,
were found to hinder doctors in formally identifying the dying patient. Nurses
reported poor inter-professional cooperation, caused by doctors focusing on
treatment and cure, while nurses gave priority to the patient’s general condition.
Dalgaard et al. concluded that open communication with all concerned in decision
making was essential in the transition to the terminal phase. The study is limited to
one hospital and the findings cannot be generalized.

The qualitative study on the delivery of palliative care in an intensive care unit
(ICU) in Scotland conducted by McKeown A. et al. (2010) also examined the
difficulty of identifying the dying phase, using a grounded theory interview-based
approach. The volunteer sample was comprised of 10 nurses, 5 consultants and
10 junior medical staff. Nurses reported that dying patients were treated
aggressively for too long with a focus on cure instead of palliative care. Doctors
stated that they were responsible for deciding when to cease curative care and
begin palliative care but many preferred to wait for obvious signs that the patient
had deteriorated rather than intervene. Nurses felt they had a more accurate view

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of their patients’ conditions but they found it difficult to get the doctors to accept
this. McKeown A. et al. suggested that multidisciplinary team education on
palliative care would improve confidence in decision-making in end-of-life care
issues. While it is recommended in this study that education on end-of-life care is
needed there is no actual assessment of this.

A qualitative study conducted by Walker & Read (2010) on care of the dying in an
ICU in England using the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) had similar findings on
identification of the dying phase. The LCP is commenced on the presence of two
out of the following four criteria: “the patient is bed bound, semi-comatose, only
able to take sips of fluid or no longer able to take tablets” (Kinder & Ellershaw
2003, p.12). The LCP is an inter-professional documented care pathway that
provides guidance on the different aspects of care required, including comfort
measures, anticipatory prescribing of medication and discontinuation of
inappropriate interventions (Jack et al. 2003). The LCP provides frequently
monitored outcomes of care in the last days of the patient’s life (see Appendix II).
A purposive convenience sample of doctors (n=1) and nurses (n=5) who had used
the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) was interviewed in a descriptive
phenomenology study. It was considered that when end-of-life decisions were
made the doctor actually made the decision and care of the patient was then
handed over to nurses. Some nurses felt that the weight of responsibility made
end-of-life decision-making difficult for doctors. Nurse felt their own education was
adequate, but doctors and nurses both felt that education in this field was lacking
for doctors. As in the previous study Walker & Read concluded that there was
need for interdisciplinary educational strategies on end-of-life care in the ICU.
However doctors’ and nurses’ education on end-of-life care had not been
specifically researched.

Similarly, Willard & Luker (2010) conducted a qualitative study using a grounded
theory approach, to study factors that hinder end-of-life care in the acute hospital
setting in England. The participants were cancer nurse specialists (n=29) selected
through purposive sampling to include valuable informants. Nurses reported that
the critical point when a dying patient’s treatment should be re-evaluated was not
always recognised because palliative care was viewed as ‘giving up’ on the
patient. The challenges of diagnosing dying and the existence of treatments

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available to sustain life were proposed as explanations for end-of-life decisions
being difficult. Nurses stated they were frustrated when cancer patients died
undergoing active treatments and routine practice took precedence over a
patient’s comfort. Again, Willard & Luker state the need for professional
consensus that the patient is dying to ensure that appropriate end-of-life care is
initiated. The study findings clearly show that this is the case.

1.4. Comfort Care

In a guide to implementation of the LCP Preston (2007) promoted the use of
comfort care and the reduction of unnecessary routine nursing interventions such
as vital signs measurement and unnecessary movement of the patient in the final
days of life. The following recent research articles discuss comfort care for the
dying patient (Jack et al. 2003, Thompson et al. 2008, van der Riet et al. 2008 and
Espinosa et al. 2010).

Jack et al. (2003) conducted a qualitative study of nurses’ perceptions of the

Liverpool Care Pathway in the acute hospital setting in England. A purposive
sample (n=15) of network nurses took part in focus group interviews. Following
training in care of the dying, network nurses are leaders in delivering palliative
care on their ward. Participants reported that prior to the introduction of the LCP
vital signs measurements had been performed as a matter of routine even though
this disturbed the patients unnecessarily and the results of the observations were
not acted upon. This regular routine care of dying patients had been discontinued
when the LCP had commenced. Nurses also reported that the LCP advanced their
knowledge on what care was necessary and boosted their confidence in caring for
the dying patient. This study was conducted in the hospital where the LCP had
been developed. Nurses had undergone education and training in end-of-life care
and this was seen as a factor in the successful delivery of comfort care. Jack et
al. (2003) concluded that wider research on the topic with a larger sample is
necessary.

A less satisfactory experience on delivery of comfort care was found by Thompson

et al. (2008) in a qualitative study using a grounded theory approach to examine
the transition of care from curative to palliative. Semi-structured interviews were
conducted on a convenience sample of nurses (n=10) from two Canadian

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hospitals. Nurses perceived that physicians hesitated switching to end-of-life care
measures because they viewed commencing palliative care as doing nothing for
the patient. Nursing staff were frustrated that the over-emphasis on the curative
model impacted on their ability to deliver comfort care as they were required to
perform redundant procedures rather than care holistically for the patient.
Thompson et al. concluded from the research evidence that it is essential that all
parties acknowledge the fact that cure of the disease is not possible before
establishment of an appropriate end-of-life care plan based on the patient’s needs.
They also recommend further research be conducted on reducing the barriers to
changing care from curative to palliative in medical units.

Similar barriers to delivering optimal terminal care were found in a qualitative study
conducted by Espinosa et al. (2010) in the USA on ICU nurses’ experiences. A
descriptive phenomenological study using a purposive sample of ICU nurses
(n=18) was conducted by holding focus group interviews on previously identified
themes. As in the study conducted by Thompson et al. (2010) it was found that
nurses considered that the different perspectives in medical and nursing care
presented a problem for their delivery of comfort care to the dying patient. Nurses
who were trying to achieve a peaceful end-of-life for the patients found it difficult to
deliver care ordered by physicians when it had no apparent benefit to the patient.
Relatives’ unrealistic expectations that everything possible be done for the patient,
was also a barrier to delivery of end-of-life care. Based on the study it was
concluded that nurses needed education and training on delivering terminal care
and that education by observation was not sufficient. Espinosa et al. also
recommended that research be conducted on methods to improve communication
between the different professionals involved in end-of-life care.

Evidence of polarization between palliative care and acute care was found in a
qualitative study conducted in Australia by van der Riet et al. (2008) on nutrition
and hydration at the end of life. Data was collected through focus group meetings
with nurses (n=15), some working in a tertiary referral unit and others working in
an acute hospital ward. Separate interviews were held with four doctors from the
units. It was found that nurses and doctors following the palliative care ethos
viewed medically assisted hydration and nutrition as invasive for the dying patient
and their approach was to promote comfort and quality of life. However, in the

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acute care setting, care for the dying patient involved use of medical provision of
fluids. Palliative care professionals felt that a dry mouth for a dying patient did not
indicate thirst and that good mouth care was more appropriate than medical
hydration. Food was offered to dying patients but often they were not hungry as
hormones could shut off their appetite. These issues were found to be of great
concern to carers and could influence decisions on care. The focus group
approach limited open discussion but there was consistency in the ideas
discussed. The researchers recommended that larger studies be conducted on the
topic in both palliative and acute settings. They also recommended that education
on managing terminal hydration was necessary for healthcare professionals and
that carers should also be educated on this matter.

1.5. Symptom Control

Comfort care of the dying includes advance planning for symptom control (Preston
2007). Pain, nausea, vomiting, agitation and respiratory tract secretions are
among the most usual symptoms in the dying patient (Glare et al. 2003). The
following recent research articles discuss controlling symptoms for the dying
patient (Toscani et al. 2005, Gambles et al. 2006, Watson et al. 2006 and Lhussier
et al. 2007).

Toscani et al. (2005) conducted a quantitative study on how people die in hospitals
by collecting data from clinical records and interviewing the nurses in charge of
dying patients (n=370) in 40 hospitals in Italy. They found that a substantial
proportion of dying patients received inadequate symptom control (75%) and
inadequate pain relief (40%). Dying patients also suffered distressing symptoms
such as nausea, vomiting, insomnia and anorexia. It was found that nurses
assessed the overall management of the patient as good/excellent in 88% of
cases despite the presence of uncontrolled symptoms. Toscani et al. considered
that pain and symptom control was poor in these hospitals and resources should
be provided to improve end-of-life care and educate health care professionals. The
conclusion that end-of-life care needs to improve is valid but the education level of
the healthcare professionals had not been researched in the study. The study had
a small sample size, only involved large/medium hospitals and did not distinguish
between medical and surgical wards where the culture of terminal care could
differ.

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Gambles et al. (2006) conducted a qualitative survey of doctors’ and nurses’
perceptions of the LCP in hospices in the U.K. using exploratory interviews. The
purposive sample was comprised of nurses (n=8) and doctors (n=3). Doctors felt
that patients had better symptom control with the use of the LCP, as symptoms
were picked up and addressed earlier. They felt that good care and symptom
control contributed to a good death. Nurses reported that the LCP made it clear to
inexperienced staff what they could expect when looking after a dying patient.
They also felt that the use of the LCP made them more pro-active and consistent
in management of issues for the dying patient. Gambles et al. recommended that
continued education was necessary with the use of the LCP. The fact that the LCP
had been developed in the hospice where the study was conducted introduced a
bias into the findings so they could not be generalised.

With a view to developing good quality end-of-life care the LCP was introduced in
a volunteer sample of nursing homes (n=8) in the U.K. by Watson et al. (2006)
over a twelve month period, using an action research approach involving field
notes and questionnaires. It was found that there was a lack of control of end-of-
life symptoms due to poor knowledge of palliative care drugs among staff. From
patient notes it was found that loss of swallowing reflex was seldom noted for
dying patients and as a result subcutaneous or rectal medication were rarely
prescribed to circumvent the problem. Watson et al. viewed anticipatory
prescribing of the necessary drugs for symptoms that might arise as being
necessary in end-of-life care. They also concluded from their research that
collaborative learning groups are useful for sustaining change in practice in end-of-
life care. The findings on symptom management are relevant to all care settings.

Similarly Lhussier et al. (2007) conducted a quantitative evaluation using action

research methodology in two Primary Care Trusts in England with a view to
introducing an end-of-life integrated care pathway (ICP) for the dying. The
volunteer sample of participants was comprised of ICP facilitators (n=10),
professionals implementing the ICP (n=22) and bereaved carers (n=10).
Professionals felt that the ICP enabled them to pin point symptom problems and
address them before they became too serious for the patient. One respondent
commented that the ICP made staff more pro-active in checking on symptoms.
Some criticism of the LCP model of care was expressed as it was felt that its ‘tick-

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box’ approach resulted moved the focus from the symptom control and comfort
care needed by the dying patient. However Lhussier et al. (2007) concluded that
overall the implementation of the ICP had met several challenges in end-of-life
care. They considered that palliative care should be given a higher profile on the
professional agenda.

6. Conclusion
The research articles reveal some disagreement between nurses and doctors
about when patients enter the dying phase. Many studies show the need for
professional consensus that the patient is dying before appropriate end-of-life care
can be initiated. Some studies found that even when the patient was identified as
dying doctors continued with diagnostic and therapeutic interventions and this
frustrated nurses who wished to deliver care focused on comfort and symptom
control.

Studies on the use of the LCP found that training contributed to the successful
delivery of comfort care for the dying. Even though the health care professionals’
education level in end-of-life care had not been noted in most of the other studies
it was recommended in many of the reports that provision of education on end-of-
life care was necessary.

7. Research Problem

Before planning such specific education programmes, it would seem necessary to

conduct research studies to establish the education and training levels of nurses
and doctors in end-of-life care and to establish if attitudes and experience also
influence the medical and nursing models in the delivery of this care. This
research proposal is concerned with the nursing model and it proposes to
establish what influences the nurse’s approach in delivering end-of-life care.

8. Research Question
The research problem leads to the following research question:
“What are the attitude, knowledge and experience of nurses on prioritizing comfort
measures for dying patients in an acute hospital?”

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9. Objectives
(i)To establish the attitude of nurses on prioritizing comfort measures for
dying patients.
(ii)To establish if nurses’ knowledge of prioritizing comfort measures for
dying patients is adequate.
(iii)To establish if nurses’ experience in prioritizing comfort measures for
dying patients is significant.

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Chapter 2: Methodology

1. Introduction to Research Methodology

The methodology selected for the proposed study will be detailed here. The
planned research design, methods of sample selection, data collection and
analysis of results will be explained. Ethical considerations for this particular
research study will also be detailed. It is hoped that the chosen methodology will
generate useful information through the collection and analysis of data on the
attitude, knowledge and experiences of staff nurses on the effect of comfort
measures in care of the dying patient in the acute hospital setting.

2. Research Design

The research design of a study outlines the basic approach that researchers use
to answer their research question (Polit & Beck 2010). To meet the aims and
objectives of the study it is important that the researcher selects the most
appropriate design for achieving the aims of the study (Parahoo 2006).

The quantitative approach arises from the belief that human phenomena and
variables in human behaviour can be studied objectively (Parahoo 2006) and so
this approach has been chosen as an appropriate research method. Quantitative
research uses a fixed design that organises in advance the research question and
a detailed method of data collection and analysis (Robson 2007). A descriptive
design involving a survey, as outlined by LoBiondo-Wood & Haber (2006), is
chosen for this study. It is proposed that this survey will collect details of the
current attitude, knowledge and experience of nurses on comfort care of the dying
patient. The method of data collection chosen is a written questionnaire, allowing
large sample size without major expense, to produce quantitative data that can be
analysed by statistical computer programmes,

3. Population/sample
Parahoo (2006, p. 258) defines a population as “the total number of units from
which data can potentially be collected”. The population in this study will be staff
nurses working in the acute hospital setting in Ireland. This population will be
delimited to a homogenous group of subjects through inclusion/exclusion criteria.

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The resultant group will form the target group, the set of nurses about which the
researcher proposes to make generalisations (Haber 2010).

Inclusion criteria
 Registered general staff nurses who work in the acute-care setting.

Exclusion criteria
 Staff nurses working with children
 Agency staff nurses

Staff nurses, fitting the above criteria, from a large Dublin acute hospital will be
chosen as a smaller convenience group of the target population. It is then
proposed to select a simple random probability sample (from the convenience
sample). Proctor et al. (2010) maintain that the use of probability sampling in
quantitative research reduces errors and biases in the study. Sampling is the
process by which researchers select a proportion of the target population, as the
study population, to represent the entire unit. It is more practical and economical to
work with samples rather than with large target populations (Polit & Beck 2010).
The researcher will obtain the names of all eligible nurses from the Human
Resources Department in the hospital. This list of nurses will form a sample frame
from which the researcher will select nurses at random by assigning a number to
each name and ‘picking the numbers out of a hat’ (Proctor et al. 2010).

Sample size
In quantitative research the size of the sample should be calculated at the design
stage (Proctor et al. 2010). According to Polit & Beck (2010) quantitative
researchers should select the largest sample possible so that it is representative of
the target population. For this reason it is proposed to use a sample size of 200
nurses for the study but expert advice on sample size will be sought from a
statistician at the design stage. According to Parahoo (2006) the study sample can
lose some subjects through non-participation resulting in the achieved sample.
The lower the response rate in data collection the less representative the data
becomes. Researchers need to explain a low response rate as it may cause bias
in the data collected. As Parahoo (2006) recommends the response rate will be
compared with the norm in similar studies to ensure an acceptable sample size.

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2.4 Data collection

Quantitative data are collected to classify and describe attributes, behaviours and
activities of populations according to Parahoo (2006). Data collection should be
objective, systematic and repeatable (Lacey 2010). Robson (2007) maintains that
a researcher should use the simplest manner of collecting the data to get answers
to the research question and should not collect any more data than necessary.
Mindful of these conditions the data collection instrument selected for this study is
a questionnaire.

Questionnaires
A questionnaire is a method of data collection that asks participants to give written
or verbal replies to a written set of questions (Parahoo 2006). It is a quick,
convenient and inexpensive method of collecting standardised information (Jones
& Rattray 2010). A questionnaire can be used to collect information on
attitudes,
knowledge and experience of staff (Parahoo 2006). A structured written
questionnaire that uses a quantitative self-report technique, as outlined by Polit &
Beck (2010), will be used to collect data in this study.

The questionnaire will have three parts (see Appendix III). Part A of the
questionnaire will use a Likert-type scale to gather data on the attitudes of nurses
on the effect of comfort in care of the dying. According to Parahoo (2006) a Likert-
type questionnaire formulates statements which the researcher considers will
represent the concept being measured without going through the validation
process used in a Likert scale. The questionnaire will consist of positively and
negatively worded statements with six different response options ranging from
strongly disagree to strongly agree. Positive statements are scored one to six (one
for strongly agree through to six for strongly disagree) and scores are reversed for
negative statements. The score for each item will be reported individually. Parts B
and C will use a fill the box format and will gather data on the knowledge and
experience of nurses on comfort care of the dying respectively.

Questionnaires tend to have a low return rate (Parahoo 2006). In an attempt to

overcome this problem the researcher will take the following steps:

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 (i)A cover letter (see Appendix IV) will be sent with the questionnaire
explaining the aim of the research study and guaranteeing confidentiality of
the responses. A reminder letter will be sent to respondents three weeks
after the initial contact.
(ii)According to Parahoo (2006) ‘respondent burden’ puts a pressure on
respondents through the time and effort necessary to complete
a
questionnaire. To reduce this burden closed-ended questions which are
more efficient and less time consuming for respondents will be used and
instructions will be clear (Polit & Beck 2010).

2.5 Validity and reliability

(i) Validity
Polit & Beck (2010) define the validity of a questionnaire as the degree to
which the instrument measures what it is intended to measure. The
questionnaire should adequately address all aspects of the issues being
studied. Face validity and content validity are the validity issues most
frequently reported in the literature (Parahoo 2006).

Face validity basically checks that the questionnaire seems to measure the
concept being tested (LoBiondo-Wood & Haber 2010) and this will be
assessed by getting friends to test-run the instrument to see if the questions
appear to be relevant, clear and unambiguous as outlined by Jones &
Rattray (2010).

A content validity test checks that there are enough relevant questions
covering all aspects being studied and that irrelevant questions are not
asked (Parahoo 2006). The test is based on judgement as no objective
methods exist. A panel of experts is used to evaluate the content validity of
new questionnaires (Polit & Beck 2010). The questionnaire will be submitted
to such a panel to check that the questions reflect the concepts being
studied and that the scope of the questions is adequate, in the manner
proposed by LoBiondo-Wood & Haber (2010). The judges will include course
lecturers in Research and Palliative Care and nurses qualified in Palliative
care with research experience on the topic.
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 (ii) Reliability
According to Parahoo (2006) reliability is a necessary but not sufficient
condition for validity. Reliability of a questionnaire refers to its ability to yield
the same data when it is re-administered under the same conditions but it is
difficult to obtain a replication of data when you are dealing with people
(Robson 2007). Reliability refers to accuracy of measurement. Reliability for
quantitative research focuses mainly on stability and consistency (Polit and
Beck 2010).

The stability of a questionnaire is the degree to which it produces similar

results on being administered twice. As recommended by Polit and Beck
(2010) the researcher proposes doing a stability test using the test-retest
method on a small population. The questionnaire will be administered on two
occasions, two weeks apart and the results compared. A reliability
coefficient will be calculated on the two sets of data for each part of the
questionnaire. Reliability coefficients range from 0.00 to 1.00, with higher
values indicating greater reliability. According to Jones & Rattray (2010)
good reliability is indicated by a coefficient > 0.8, so the researcher will
attempt to achieve a liability of this level or greater. The ‘test-retest’ will be
included in the pilot study.

Whether or not questions measure the same concept is checked by an

internal consistency check (Jones & Rattray 2010). The researcher will use
the split-half test described by Parahoo (2010) to check internal consistency.
The questionnaire will be split into two equal halves and the data will be
checked for similarity. Consistency will be checked by Cronbach’s alpha as
described by Polit and Beck (2010). Cronbach’s alpha has a range of values
between 0.00 and 1.00 and a value of > 0.7 is acceptable.

2.6 Data analysis

According to Parahoo (2006, p.375), data analysis is “an integrated part of the
research design”, and it is a means of making sense of data before presenting
them in an understandable manner. Descriptive analysis will be carried out on the
data collected. Analysis of quantitative data is carried out using numbers so the

14
reply to each question of Part A of the questionnaire will be coded using numbers
on an ordinal scale of 1 to 6. Numbers on an ordinal scale are in ascending order,
with no equal steps implied between the numbers (Parahoo 2006). The reply to
each question of Parts B and C of the questionnaire will be coded using numbers
in the normal sense. The services of a statistician will be engaged to input the data
directly to the computer package SPSS (Social Packages for the Social Sciences)
and to analyse the data as advised by Walters & Freeman (2010). The computer
package will describe the data using frequency and central tendency, as outlined
in Parahoo (2006). The frequency of a particular response to a question will be
calculated as a percentage and the data will be illustrated using tables and bar
charts. Tables facilitate presentation of large amounts of data and bar charts give
a clear picture of results with a sense of proportion (Parahoo 2006). Central
tendency of the data will be calculated using the mode (most frequent response)
for Part A as the data are represented by ordinal numbers. For Part B and Part C
central tendency will be calculated by calculating the mean response and the
normal distribution around the mean. As advised by Cormack (1991) the
researcher will check on the format and relevance of the charts and tables
produced by computer analysis.

To check on possible connections between variables inferential statistics are used

(Parahoo 2006). Correlations will be checked between (i) data on participants’
number of years nursing and the data in Part A of the questionnaire and (ii)
participant’s education in end-of-life care and data in Part A of the questionnaire.
Contingency tables (as described by Polit & Beck 2010) will be set up to cross-
tabulate the above variables. Correlation coefficients will be calculated to check
the intensity and direction of the correlations. The values of these coefficients can
range from + 1.00 for a positive relationship through 0.00 to − 1.00 for a negative
relationship (Polit & Beck 2010).

Back-up of computer records will be requested throughout the analysis process.

The data will also be stored on a computer made secure by passwords. The
completed questionnaires will be kept in a secure place as this is vital both for
back-up and security reasons.

15
2.8 Pilot study

Piloting is a key stage in the development of the questionnaire allowing evaluation

of the instrument before the main study is conducted (Parahoo 2006). The pilot
study is conducted on a small sample of the population in the same manner as the
main study. It gives the researcher the opportunity of checking if the respondents
understand the questions in the same way, if all questions are relevant and if all
the instructions are clear. The pilot study also allows a check on whether the
length and structure of the questionnaire are problematic (Parahoo 2006). The
validity and reliability of the questionnaire can also be checked at the pilot study
stage (Jones & Rattray 2010).

A pilot study will be carried out using a small sample of subjects, 10% of the main
study (T.C.D. Guidelines 2010). Twenty subjects will be chosen in the same
manner as the subjects for the main study. The pilot participants will be debriefed
to check for problems with the questionnaire and issues concerning it. The
structure and content of the questionnaire will be amended accordingly.

As recommended by Robson (2007) the researcher will use the data collected in
the pilot study to generate dummy data for 200 participants in order to run a trial
test on the selected method of data analysis. Care will be taken that the
participants in the pilot study will be excluded from the main study and that details
of the study are not passed on to main study participants.

2.9 Ethical considerations

According to Polit and Beck (2010), researchers must deal with ethical issues
when their intended research involves human beings. Ethical approval will be
requested in writing from the Director of Nursing (as gatekeeper) and the Hospital
Ethics Committee of the hospital involved in the research (See Appendices V and
VI). As gatekeeper, the director of Nursing must be made aware of all nursing
research taking place in the organisation to monitor the effect of all such projects
taking place. She will also need to be convinced of the value of the research and
the competency of the researcher (Lee 2005).

16
The main ethical principles that will be considered in conducting this research
study are respect for persons, confidentiality and beneficence /non-maleficence.

Respect for persons

As individuals are autonomous beings they have the right to decide whether or not
they get involved in this research. This fact will be stated clearly in
the
questionnaire cover letter (See appendix IV). Informed consent should be sought
from research participants (Parahoo 2006). Before consent is sought
the
researcher will give details of the nature and purpose of the research, the potential
subjects, who will have access to the data and the proposed outcome of
the
research. Completion of the questionnaire by participants will be taken as their
giving consent to participate in the study. Participants will be given adequate time
to consider their participation.

Confidentiality
Self-administered questionnaires can potentially protect the anonymity and privacy
of the respondents contributing to the confidentially of the responses. To ensure
that confidentiality is truly protected the questionnaires will not be numbered.

Beneficence/non-maleficence
While questionnaires are considered to be less intrusive than interviews,
observations or experiments they can still potentially cause harm (Parahoo 2006).
It is possible for sensitive and highly personal questions to be threatening if they
trigger traumatic memories or guilt when the respondent is alone and without
support. At the pilot study stage the questionnaire will be checked for potentially
damaging questions. Parahoo (2006) maintains that questions on knowledge,
behaviour or experience may also be threatening to health professionals if data
can be accessed by their employers. A written guarantee will be given to the
participants that the data collected will remain confidential and that only the
researcher and the statistician employed by the researcher will have access to it.

17
Chapter 3: Proposed Outcome of Study

3.1 Proposed Outcome

Following this proposed study, a report will be compiled discussing all aspects of
the research process including the results, limitations and benefits. It is anticipated
that the results of the study will give an indication of nurses’ attitude, knowledge
and experience in the domain of comfort care of the dying in Ireland and indicate
where interventions are needed through education, training or management. It is
also anticipated that the findings of the research study will reveal if other factors
such as attitude or experience impact on the effective delivery of care of the dying
patient.

It is anticipated that these results will contribute to recommendations in future

nursing practice, nurse education and research and that this will in turn move
palliative care higher up on the agenda of the nursing profession in general.

This study will have limitations as it will be conducted in only one acute hospital. It
will give a general overview of the current attitude, knowledge and experience of
nurses in this hospital. The researcher recommends that other studies, both
quantitative and qualitative be carried out in hospitals in other Irish cities so that a
more general picture could be established of end-of-life nursing care in acute
hospitals in Ireland. Qualitative research is explanatory and descriptive in nature
and so it could help in determining the nature of the phenomena being studied
(Barroso, 2010) and consequently give a more complete picture of care of the
dying.

It is the intention of the researcher to share the findings of the study with
management of the partaking hospital and the schools of nursing and midwifery in
Ireland. It is hoped that this will highlight the necessity of planning on-going
education and training for nurses in end-of-life care.

To present the research report to a broader audience the researcher intends

applying for publication of the study report in relevant nursing journals.

18
3.2 Time Scale
A clear and practical time scale is necessary to facilitate the organisation and
coordination of each stage of the research process and the successful integration
of the stages (Cormack, 1991). An 18 month period is proposed as the time frame
for this study and a detailed integrated time plan is included in appendix VII.

33. Resources
An estimated budget account for the proposed study is outlined in appendix VIII.

19
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Lee P. (2005) The process of gatekeeping in health care research. Nursing Times
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(2010) Dying in Hospital in Ireland: An Assessment of the Quality of Care in the
Last Week of Life, Report 5, Final Synthesis Report, Dublin: Irish Hospice
Foundation. Available at http://www.hospicefriendlyhospitals.net

Parahoo K. (2006) Nursing Research: Principles, Process and Issues, 2nd edn.
Palgrave Macmillan, Houndsmill.

Polit D.F. & Beck C.T. (2010) Essentials of Nursing Research: Appraising
Evidence for Nursing Practice, 7th edn. Wolters Kluwer Health / Lippincott Williams
& Wilkins, Philadelphia.

Preston M. (2007) The LCP for the dying Patient: a Guide to Implementation. End
of Life Care 1(1), 61 – 68.

Proctor S, Allan T. and Lacey A. (2010) Sampling. In The Research Process in

Nursing, 6th edn. (Gerrish K. & Lacey A., eds), Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford.

Quality standards for end-of-life care in hospitals: Making end-of-life care central to
hospital care. Dublin: Irish Hospice Foundation, 2010.

Robson C. (2007) How to do a Research Project: a guide for undergraduate

students. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford.

Sullivan-Bolyai S. & Bova C. (2010) Data Collection Methods. In Nursing

Research: Methods and Critical Appraisal for Evidence-Based Practice 7th edn.
(Lobiondo-Wood G. & Haber J., eds), Mosby Elsevier St. Louis.

Trinity College Dublin (2010) Guidelines for preparing a research proposal. TCD,
Dublin.

Thompson G., McClement S. & Daeninck P. (2006) “Changing lanes”: facilitating

the transition from curative to palliative care. Journal of Palliative Care 22 (2), 91 –
98.

Toscani F., Di Giulio P., Brunelli C., Miccinesi G., & Laquintana D. (2005) How
people die in hospital general wards: a descriptive study. Journal of Pain and
Symptom Management 30 (1), p. 33 – 40

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van der Riet P., Good P., Higgins I. & Sneesby L. (2008) Palliative care
professionals’ perceptions of nutrition and hydration at the end of life. International
Journal of Palliative Care 14 (3), 145 – 150.

Walker R. & Reid S. (2010) The Liverpool Care Pathway in intensive care: an
exploratory study of doctors and nurses perceptions. International Journal of
Palliative Nursing 16 (6), 267 – 272.

Walters S. & Freeman S. (2010) Descriptive analysis of Quantitative data. In The

Research Process in Nursing, 6th edn. (Gerrish K. & Lacey A., eds), Wiley-
Blackwell, Oxford.

Watson J., Hockley J. & Dewar B. (2006) Barriers to implementing an integrated

care pathway for the last days of life in nursing homes. International Journal of
Palliative Care 12 (5), 234 – 239.

Willard C. & Luker K. (2006) Challenges to end of life care in the acute hospital
setting. Palliative Medicine 20, 611 - 615.

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24
Appendix 1

Search Strategy
In October 2010, a search of the international literature on care-of-the dying was
conducted in electronic databases CINAHL, PUBmed, Sage, ProQuest, Internurse
and Ovid. (as well as library textbooks) in the period 2003 – 2010. The inclusion
criteria were adult populations and English language. Research articles based in
hospices and nursing homes were included as they produced relevant findings.
Search results show that there has been extensive research on care of the dying
examined mainly from the qualitative perspective. Nine empirical articles from
these searches have been reviewed (8 qualitative and 1 quantitative).
Manual searches of Trinity Library and the Irish Hospice Foundation Library (the
Thérèse Brady Library) were also conducted. One article (qualitative) from the
TCD search and two articles (1 qualitative and 1 quantitative) from the IHF search
were reviewed.

Search Words: ‘dying phase’, ‘comfort measures for the dying’, ‘symptom control
in care of the dying patient’ and ‘integrated care pathway for the dying’.

Range of articles:
The articles gathered ranged from 2003 to 2010. The articles were mainly sourced
in England but some were sourced in Scotland, Denmark, Canada, the United
States of America and Australia.

A clinical practice development article and a seminal book on end-of-life care have
also been reviewed. Strategies for care of the dying were retrieved from literature
in the Health Service Executive, the Irish Hospice Foundation, the Department of
Health (UK), the National Council for Palliative Care (U.K.) and the Marie Curie
Foundation Liverpool U.K.

25
Appendix II

Outline of the Liverpool Care Pathway

 Origin
The Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) was developed in the late 1990’s as a means
of transferring best practice in care of the dying from the hospice setting to other
sectors in health care. The LCP was developed by the Royal Liverpool University
Trust and the Marie Curie Centre Liverpool and it has been recognized as a model
of good care and was awarded NHS Beacon Status in 2000. The NHS Beacon
Programme identifies centres of excellence and supports the delivery of high-
quality patient-centred care by spreading good practice across the NHS (Jack et
al. 2003)

 Format
The Liverpool Care Pathway is a multi-professional document that provides an
evidence-based framework and measureable outcomes of care in the last days of
the patient’s life. It focuses on the assessment of comfort measures, anticipatory
prescribing of medication and discontinuation of inappropriate interventions as well
as psychological and spiritual care (Gambles et. al 2006).

 Commencement of the LCP for the dying patient

Once the multidisciplinary health care team decide that the patient is dying the
LCP is commenced. The decision that the patient has entered the dying phase is
based on the presence of two of the following four criteria: the patient is bed-
bound, is semi-comatose, is only able to take sips of fluid or is no longer able to
take tablets (Jack et al. 2003)

 Assessment of patient’s comfort in the dying phase (Gambles et al. 2006)

Initial assessment
Goal 1 Current medication assessed and non-essentials discontinued
Goal 2 As required subcutaneous drugs written up according to protocol (pain,
agitation, respiratory tract secretions, nausea and vomiting, dyspnoea)
Goal 3 Discontinue inappropriate interventions (blood tests, antibiotics, IV fluids, or
drugs, document ‘not for CPR’, deactivate cardiac defibrillators
Goal 4 Ability to communicate in English assessed as adequate (patient/carer)
Goal 5 Insight into condition assessed with patient and carer:

Goal 6 Religious and spiritual needs assessed with patient and carer.

Ongoing assessment
4 hourly Pain, agitation, respiratory tract secretions, nausea, and vomiting, dyspnoea,
mouth care, micturition, medication given safely and accurately, syringe driver
checked (where appropriate)
12 hourly Mobility, bowels, psychological, religious/spiritual

26
Appendix III

Part A: Questionnaire on attitudes

Directions: Tick the box under the opinion that most closely represents your own.

1. Nurses are capable of identifying that a patient is dying.

Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongly

Disagree Disagree Agree Agree

2. I would not like the responsibility of identifying a patient as dying.

Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongly

Disagree Disagree Agree Agree

3. Nurses cannot cease routine care for the dying patient without permission
from a doctor.

Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongly

Disagree Disagree Agree Agree

4. The length of time taken to care for a dying patient is vitally important.

Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongly

Disagree Disagree Agree Agree

5. Nurses should not give dying patients honest answers about their condition.

Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongly

Disagree Disagree Agree Agree

27
6. End stage palliative care does not do anything for the patient.

Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongly

Disagree Disagree Agree Agree

7. The focus of care should be adapted when death becomes imminent.

Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongly

Disagree Disagree Agree Agree

8. When a patient has been identified as dying a ‘do not resuscitate order’
should be placed on his/her chart.

Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongly

Disagree Disagree Agree Agree

9. Nurses play a key role in helping patients die in comfort.

Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongly

Disagree Disagree Agree Agree

10. Comfort care for the dying patient should not replace routine nursing practice.

Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongly

Disagree Disagree Agree Agree

28
11. I would not like to care for a dying patient.

Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongly

Disagree Disagree Agree Agree

12. Comfort care will enhance the dying patient’s quality of life.

Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongly

Disagree Disagree Agree Agree

13. Specialist palliative care teams are never necessary to deal with a dying
patient.

Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongly

Disagree Disagree Agree Agree

14. Symptom control for the dying patient is not the nurse’s responsibility.

Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongly

Disagree Disagree Agree Agree

15. When nursing a dying patient it is good practice, when possible, to

frequently ask them about symptom control.

Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongly

Disagree Disagree Agree Agree

29
16. Symptom control guidelines are necessary for delivering optimal end-of-life
care.

Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongly

Disagree Disagree Agree Agree

17. Nurses cannot manage symptom control in the dying phase.

Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongly

Disagree Disagree Agree Agree

18. The dying patient’s physical needs should be decided by them when possible.

Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongly

Disagree Disagree Agree Agree

19. Dignity of a patient is not more important that effective

care.
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongly
Disagree Disagree Agree Agree

20. Administration of opioids by means of a syringe driver is often an essential

measure in symptom control.

Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongly

Disagree Disagree Agree Agree

30
 Part B: Knowledge Questionnaire

Please answer all the following questions by ticking the appropriate box to indicate
the answer you consider to be correct. Tick one box only.

1. The decision that a patient is dying should be made by a multidisciplinary team.

Correct Incorrect

2. There is a need for specialist palliative care teams to be involved with every
dying patient.

Correct Incorrect

3. The dying person should not be allowed to make decisions about his/her
physical care.

Correct Incorrect

4. Treatment procedures should be continued even when the patient is dying.

Correct Incorrect

5. Routine nursing practice should not take precedence over a patient’s comfort.

Correct Incorrect

6. Dehydration is a normal part of the dying process.

Correct Incorrect

7. Frequent repositioning of a dying patient is not always desirable.

31
 Correct Incorrect

8. When a patient is diagnosed as dying current medication should be reassessed

and non-essentials discontinued.

Correct Incorrect

9. Use of opioids is appropriate to control pain for the dying patient.

Correct Incorrect

10. Symptoms of increased chest secretions and terminal agitation are

unavoidable in dying patients.

Correct Incorrect

11. Regulation of bowel movements is often a problem for a dying patient.

Correct Incorrect

12. Retention of urine is more likely than urine incontinence in the dying patient.

Correct Incorrect

13. All dying patients will be at high risk of skin breakdown.

32
 Correct Incorrect

14. Breathless is a common symptom in the dying phase.

Correct
Incorrect

15. General comfort care should not take precedence over skin care.

Correct Incorrect

16. Maintaining a fluid balance record for the dying patient is important.

Correct Incorrect

17. The dying patient should not be coaxed to eat.

Correct
Incorrect

18. It is appropriate to control pain in the dying phase by use of both analgesia and
sedation.

Correct Incorrect

19. An acute episode in a chronically ill patient may represent a terminal event.

33
 Correct Incorrect

20. Reducing the respiratory rate can relieve breathlessness for the dying patient
by reducing anxiety.

Correct Incorrect

Part C: Experience survey

Section 1

Please answer each question by ticking the appropriate box.

1. Please indicate your number of years nursing experience.

1-5 years 5-10 years 10-15 years 15-20 years >20 years

2. Have you received pre-registration education in end-of-life care?

Yes No

3. Have you received post-registration education in end-of-life care?

Yes No

Section 2

34
The following section concerns your experience in delivering comfort care to dying
patients. Please indicate your answer to the question by placing a number in the
box which corresponds to your experience (see answer guide).

Answer guide:
1 never
2 1– 5 times
35–10 times 3
10–15 times
4 15– 20
times
5 > 20 times

4 I have been
present as a
nurse when a
patient has
died.

5 I have been
in charge of
nursing care
for a dying
patient.

6 I have used
an integrated
care pathway
for end-of-life
care.

7 I have been part of an interdisciplinary team that identified a

patient as dying.

8 I have collaborated with an interdisciplinary team in delivering end-of-life

care for a dying patient.

9 I have nursed a dying patient with a do not resuscitate order.

10 I have set up a syringe driver for subcutaneous administration of anticipatory

prescribed medications to a dying patient.

11 I have administered prescribed opiate drugs to a dying patient to control

pain.
35
12 I have administered prescribed drugs to a dying patient to control
respiratory secretions.
12 I have been involved in cessation of artificial feeding for a dying patient.

13 I have dealt with nausea and vomiting episodes for a dying patient.

14 I have managed constipation problems for a dying patient.

15 I have inserted a urinary catheter to manage urine retention for a

dying patient.

16 When caring for a dying patient I have been involved making the decision
to cease routine care and focus on comfort care.

17 I have managed physical comfort measures for a dying patient with

the provision of an air mattress.

18 I have discussed the prognosis of dying with a patient in the dying

phase

19 I have acted as advocate for a dying patient when he/she needed their
wishes to be heard regarding treatment.

20 I have negotiated a cessation of diagnostic interventions for a dying

patient

Thank you for taking the time to complete this questionnaire. I sincerely value the
important contribution that you have made to knowledge development in this area.

36
Appendix IV
Letter of Invite to the Participants
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXX
XXXXXXX

Date:
XXXXXX

Phone:
XXXXXXXX
X

RE: Research Study: A study of the attitude, knowledge and experience of staff
nurses on prioritizing comfort measures in care of the dying patient in an acute
hospital setting.

Dear Mr. /Ms. XXXXX

I am currently undertaking an Honours Degree in Nursing Studies in XXXXX
College, Dublin and a research proposal is to be submitted as a partial fulfilment of
the course. The topic I have chosen is aimed at examining staff nurses’ attitude,
knowledge and experience on prioritizing comfort measures in care of the dying
patient in an acute hospital setting. In my clinical placements as a student nurse I
have observed among nurses and student nurses different levels of awareness
that nursing the dying patient requires a reappraisal of nursing care. This is a
situation that needs to be addressed as all nurses will at some stage be in the
position of caring for the dying due to the number of people dying in hospitals –
almost one in two people who die in Ireland die in hospital. It is anticipated that
the results of this study will generate information that will be useful in implementing
a standard approach to the delivery of end-of-life care in this setting. This is a
letter to invite you to partake in this study.
The study will involve you completing the questionnaire that is enclosed with this
letter. It is a three part questionnaire with separate questions on attitude,
knowledge and experience. This questionnaire should only take 20 minutes of
your time to complete. I would kindly ask you to answer questions truthfully and
independently without discussion with others to allow for more accurate results.
Confidentiality and anonymity will be fully assured, as your name is not required
on the questionnaire and only the research team will have access to the results.
All information will be destroyed on completion of the study. It will not affect you in
anyway, should you not take part in this study.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. Should you decide to participate,
please complete the enclosed questionnaire and return it in the stamped
addressed envelope provided within the next four weeks. By completing this
questionnaire it is understood that you are consenting to participate in this study. If
you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me on the
above address or telephone number. Your participation would be greatly
appreciated.

Yours sincerely,

37
Appendix V
Letter to the Director of Nursing XXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXX
Hospital, Date: XXXXXXX
Co. Dublin
Ph: XXXXXXXX

Re: Research Study: A study of the attitude, knowledge and experience of staff
nurses on the use of comfort measures in care of the dying patient in an acute
hospital setting.

To Whom It May Concern,

I am currently undertaking an Honours Degree in Nursing Studies in XXXXX
College, Dublin and a research proposal is to be submitted as a partial fulfilment of
the course. The topic I have chosen is aimed at examining staff nurses’ attitude,
knowledge and experience in the domain of the use of comfort measures in care
of the dying patient in an acute hospital setting. I wish to request your permission
to invite 200 staff nurses who are currently employed in the hospital to partake in
this study.
It is hoped that an analysis of the attitude, knowledge and experience of staff
nurses in the domain referred to above will produce information that will be useful
in planning improvements in that field.
The information needed to complete this study will be gathered by means of a
questionnaire, a copy of which you will find enclosed. This will consist of scales
designed to measure attitude, knowledge and experience of nurses in the domain
of comfort care for dying patients. The results could prove to be beneficial in
identifying any issues that need to be addressed and to contribute to nurse
education and nursing practice in this area.
Should you agree to the staff nurses participating, I would be grateful if you would
provide me with a list of all staff nurses employed in acute care in your hospital.
Please exclude any agency nurses and nurses who are working with children.
Each participant will receive a cover letter (enclosed) and consent will be implied
on receipt of completed questionnaires. Confidentiality and anonymity will be
assured at all times.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. If you have any queries or would
like to discuss this matter further before making a decision, please do not hesitate
to contact me at the above address or telephone number.

Yours Sincerely,

-----------------------------------

38
Appendix VI
Letter to the Ethics Committee
XXXXXXXXXXX
.
XXXXXXXXX

XXXXXX Ethics Committee

Date: XXXXXXX
Faculty of Health Sciences
XXXXXXXXX Phone: XXXXXXX
College,
Dublin X.

Re: Ethical approval to conduct a study of the attitude, knowledge and experience
of staff nurses on the use of comfort measures in care of the dying patient in an
acute hospital setting.
.
Dear Sir/ Madam,
I am a student currently undertaking an Honours Degree in Nursing Studies in
XXXX College, Dublin and a research proposal is to be submitted as a partial
fulfilment of the course. The topic I have chosen is aimed at conducting a study of
the attitude, knowledge and experience of staff nurses on prioritizing comfort
measures in care of the dying patient in an acute hospital setting. This could be of
benefit to the future development of nurse education and nurse practice in Ireland.
Every effort has been made in the development of this research proposal to be
sensitive to all ethical issues.
I would greatly appreciate your approval to perform this study through your review
of the ethical considerations. Enclosed please find a copy of the research
proposal for your consideration. Any recommendations or suggestions will be
considered and acknowledged. Should you have any questions or concerns,
please do not hesitate to contact me on the above address or telephone number.
Thanking you for your time,

Yours Sincerely,

---------------------------------

39
Appendix VII
Proposed Time Scale.

2010 2011

Task S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F

Apply for
hospital ethics
committee
approval
Write literature
review &
methodology
chapters
Familiarise with
SPSS
computer
statistical
software
Prepare
questionnaires
Pilot Study

Adapt
questionnaires
Distribute
questionnaires
Collect
questionnaires

Review data

Prepare report
Analyse data
Compile results
Prepare final
draft
Present final
draft
Report findings

40
Appendix VIII
The following is the proposed estimated budget.

Expenses Cost €
Personnel
Statistician €800

Typist €200

Data Collection and Analysis

Laptop €500

Printer/Photocopier €150

Memory Stick 4GB €20

Computer €120

Software Filing €80

Cabinet

Stationery €60
Paper €30
Envelopes €110
Postage

Miscellaneous €50

Travel Expenses €50

Library Services €30

Telephone €40

Binding of report

Total Expenses €2240

41