The caregiving experiences of Filipino nurses handling terminally-ill patients: Coping mechanisms and perceived nurse-patient relationships

• Main Authors: Cheng, Angelica Ysabel L., Crespo, Kim Avigail S., Yubontoy, Andrea Nicole L.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2015
• Subjects: Psychology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/18111
• Institution: De La Salle University

The research explored the caregiving experiences of Filipino nurses handling terminally-ill patients. Specifically, the study delved into the positive and negative implications of the experience to nurses, the coping mechanisms exhibited, and the perceived relationship developed between a nurse and their patient. A semi-structured interview and a Culture Orientation Scale were utilized in the process of data collection. Data gathered from the interviews were analyzed through thematic analysis, while scores acquired from the scale were summarized through descriptive statistics. Results had shown that Filipino nurses commonly experience physical and emotional exhaustion during their work shift, as well as the positive feelings of fulfillment and personal growth. Scores obtained from the scale has also established that Filipino nurses belong to a Collective cultural orientation wherein existing types of collective coping behaviors have supported the different coping mechanisms revealed as their ways to alleviate the stress they normally experience. As for the perceived nurse-patient relationship, it was determined that Filipino nurses are most likely to show humanistic care to their patients while still maintaining professionalism through a clinical relationship. Finally, the researchers integrated all these factors which showed that the implications of End of Life care had an influence on the nurse-patient relationships.