Developing clearer definitions and clinical guidelines for Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders in oncology care
Format
Funding
The Swedish Cancer Society (Cancerfonden)
Time table
2010-2016
Aims
The aim of this project is to investigate attitudes to and perceptions of ‘Do Not Resuscitate’ (DNR) orders in oncology care among Swedish oncologists and oncology nurses. Further the experiences of education in DNR and understanding of DNR orders among students in nursing and medical school will be investigated.
Background
Within oncology care, patients in a terminal phase of cancer sometimes have such a poor prognosis that Coronary Pulmonary Rescue (CPR) is not considered justifiable in case of cardiac arrest. This can lead to a DNR order to be issued by the responsible physician, implying that in case of a cardiac arrest neither basic nor advanced CPR is to be performed. DNR situations can lead to severe ethical dilemmas and moral distress among the staff.
Research design
- Two interview studies, using qualitative methodology, will be performed with oncology nurses and oncologists concerning their experiences of DNR decisions.
- Nursing and medical students will be interviewed in a qualitative study concerning their understanding of DNR and their education on this concept.
- In a study using Delphi-methodology a panel of oncologists and oncology nurses will be asked to assess a suggestion of definition of DNR and guidelines for DNR in oncology care. The goal is to establish clearer definitions and guidelines with relevance for both oncologists and oncology nurses on DNR orders in oncology care.
Contact and more information
- Mona Pettersson, RN, PhD student
Supervisors
- Anna T. Höglund, Associate professor of ethics, CRB
- Mariann Hedström, Senior lecturer, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences
Collaborator
- Gunnar Birgegård, Professor, Department of Medical Sciences
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