Introduction: Dying and death are inevitable processes in life, often accompanied by strong emotions and feelings of helplessness. A process that many perceive as a failure
requires attention and professionl support to alleviate the suffering of patients and their loved ones. Palliative care provides comprehensive support for the dying and their
families, focusing on relieving suffering, ensuring dignity, and addressing the needs of both the patient and their loved ones at the end of life. Purpose: The aim of this thesis is to present palliative care and the role of nurses, explore how patients and their families cope with a poor prognosis, clarify the role of nurses in delivering bad news, and identify ways to support patients and their loved ones. Methods: A descriptive research method was used in this thesis, analyzing professional and scientific literature published since 2013. The literature search was conducted using the Digital Library of Ljubljana, the Medline
(PubMed) database, and Google Scholar, in both Slovenian and English. Results: We found that delivering bad news is one of the most challenging moments in palliative care, where compassionate communication and support for the patient and their loved ones are of crucial importance. Nurses play a key role in this process, as they accompany patients and emotional needs. Through empathy, a sense of safety, and professional assistance, nurses help patients and their loved ones cope with illness and contribute to improving the
quality of remaining life. Discussion and conclusion: Our findings indicate that palliative care is essential in ensuring a high-quality and dignified life for patients with incurable diseases. Nurses play an indispensable role as a bridge between patients, their loved ones, and healthcare professionals, providing physical and emotional support, communication and quidance in decision-making. High-quality communication and an empathetic approach significantly enhance support for patients and their families, leading to better understanding and an improved quality of life during the most difficult moments.
|