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Analysis of end-of-life content in nursing textbooks.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES
To determine the amount and types of content regarding pain and end-of-life (EOL) care included in major textbooks used in nursing education.


DESIGN
Descriptive.


SAMPLE
50 texts (45,683 pages) selected from a potential of more than 700 texts.


METHODS
Content analysis and quantification of nine essential areas of EOL care content present in the texts.


MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES
Nine areas of EOL care: palliative care defined; quality of life, pain; other symptom assessment/management; communication with dying patients and families; role/needs of family caregivers in EOL care; death; issues of policy, ethics, and law; and bereavement.


FINDINGS
Only 2% of the overall content and 1.4% of chapters in nursing texts were related to EOL care. Based on the analysis, many deficiencies were identified in the texts, including inaccurate information and a lack of information regarding critical EOL topics.


CONCLUSIONS
Nursing texts contain limited content regarding EOL care. Increased attention to this area is essential in preparing nurses to care for patients at EOL.


IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE
Nursing practice is based on the foundation of nursing education. Changes in nursing school curriculum and provision of continuing education for practicing nurses are essential for improved EOL care.