Expanding end of life care with dignity in eastern europe

Introduction: In Eastern Europe, the demand for integrative palliative care services has yet to be met by the state of medical science. The purpose of this research was to characterize the nursing actions practiced by Eastern European nurses affiliated with Hospices of Hope that promote dignified dying and explore needs to promote more dignified death. Description: A survey method used the International Classification for Nursing Practice dignified dying survey. A convenience sample of 46 hospice nurse responded. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used to analyze the data. Outcomes: Characteristics that promoted dignified dying included creating safe and intimate environments for patients that supported controlling pain and symptoms at the end of life. Participants described living well until the end by supporting families through reconciliation, peace and spiritual satisfaction, contributing to a dignified transition from life to death. Implications: Dignity for the terminally ill throughout Eastern Europe will be expanded as the Romanian nurses continue to mentor hospice nurses within the Hospice of Hope network. As the nurses implement these interventions, awareness of cultural and spiritual differences concerning end of life care will facilitate dialogue among a global hospice network. The geographical areas outside of Romania that are currently part of their palliative care and hospice network, and characterize the palliative care nursing actions practiced by Eastern European nurses who are affiliated with Hospices of Hope include Moldova, Serbia, Slovakia and Greece. In Eastern Europe, the demand for integrative palliative care services far outweighs the current availability.