BACKGROUND To prevent the infection from spreading, patients who were dying from COVID-19 were treated in isolation with restricted family access, which differed from existing end-of-life care procedures. This was a significant change that affected the care provided by nurses. OBJECTIVES This study explored nurses' end-of-life care experiences in a limited family visitation setting during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A descriptive qualitative study was conducted. Data were collected through individual, in-depth, semistructured interviews with ten critical care nurses who provided end-of-life care to patients with COVID-19 in South Korea. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist was used to assess the study's rigour. FINDINGS Three themes were identified: 'Witnessing patients' and families' heartbreak over separation', 'The gaps between the ideals and realities of end-of-life care', and 'Efforts to provide patients with a comfortable final journey'. Nurses realise the importance of their central role in supporting interactions between patients and families during end-of-life care. CONCLUSIONS Family participation, facilitated by nurses' interest and efforts as mediators connecting patients and families, is essential for achieving high-quality care for inpatients facing end of life. This study is significant as it emphasises that the direction of end-of-life care should be family centric, even in a pandemic situation with limited family participation. To improve interaction between patients and families, creating an environment based on family participation that builds trust and strengthens communication is essential. Additionally, hospital support, such as professional education and counselling, should be provided to strengthen nurses' end-of-life care competency.

中文翻译：

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在大流行期间家庭成员受到限制时，护士对临终关怀的看法：一项定性研究。


背景 为了防止感染传播，死于 COVID-19 的患者在限制家人进入的情况下接受隔离治疗，这与现有的临终关怀程序不同。这是一个重大变化，影响了护士提供的护理。目标 本研究探讨了 COVID-19 大流行期间护士在有限的家庭探视环境中的临终关怀经历。方法 进行了描述性定性研究。数据是通过对韩国 10 名重症监护护士进行单独、深入、半结构化访谈而收集的，这些护士为韩国的 COVID-19 患者提供临终关怀。使用主题分析对数据进行分析。使用报告定性研究清单的综合标准来评估研究的严谨性。研究结果确定了三个主题：“见证患者和家人因分离而心碎”、“临终关怀的理想与现实之间的差距”以及“努力为患者提供舒适的最后旅程”。护士意识到他们在临终关怀期间支持患者和家人之间互动的核心作用的重要性。结论 在护士作为连接患者和家庭的调解人的兴趣和努力的推动下，家庭参与对于为面临生命终结的住院患者提供高质量的护理至关重要。这项研究意义重大，因为它强调临终关怀的方向应该以家庭为中心，即使是在家庭参与有限的大流行情况下。为了改善患者与家人之间的互动，创造一个基于家庭参与、建立信任、加强沟通的环境至关重要。 此外，应提供专业教育和咨询等医院支持，以加强护士的临终关怀能力。