Sjuksköterskors upplevelser av att möta patienter som avstår behandling : En litteraturbaserad studie

Sammanfattning: Background: A patient always has the right to refuse treatment due to various reasons, which can cause a number of different emotions. The nurse has a responsibility, function, and care science concepts to take into account such as responsibility and power. It's important that the nurse listen to the patient to understand the patient's reason for refusing treatment. Aim: The purpose is to describe nurses’ experiences of meeting patients who refuse treatment. Method: A literature-based study was conducted through a qualitative approach. Systematic searches were performed in the databases Cinahl and PubMed. Both general and specialist nurses were included. The study was based on seven qualitative articles. The analysis resulted in three themes and eight subthemes. Results: An internal conflict as a feeling was identified among nurses. The nurses had some tools to overcome the internal conflict but they felt lack of tools related to the situation not being discussed during their training. The nurses tried to increase the patient's competence about their choices. The asymmetric care relationship, on the other hand, became obvious in the form of the exercise of power and persuasion. Conclusion: Caring for a patient who refuses treatment is a complex situation for the nurse. The feelings the nurses expressed created a clear common pattern. By talking more about the internal conflict, a guide can be created in how the nurses’ feelings should be handled when a patient refuses treatment.