Nursing care for people dying from chronic obstructive airways disease

Abstract
Nursing has demonstrated its ability to respond to the palliative care needs of patients, and their families, with advanced cancer. One of the current challenges to palliative care nursing lies in meeting the needs of patients with a diagnosis other than cancer. This paper reports on how nursing is currently organised and delivered to those individuals dying from chronic obstructive airways disease (COAD). The study findings illustrate a group of people whose quality of life is perceived to be poor, and whose health burden is considerable. Currently, nursing knowledge, skills and expertise are being under-utilised within the care of this patient group, and this requires urgent attention by purchasers and providers.

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