Communication Between the Nurse and Family Caregiver in End-of-Life Care: A Review of the Literature

Little research describes communication among the nurse, patient, and family at the very end of life. How do nurses communicate imminent death to loved ones of a terminally ill patient whose death is expected but not fully anticipated? A systematic review of the literature was performed on four subcategories that are interrelated within this phenomenon. The nurse-patient relationship, family caregiver needs, communication, and experience of dying in end-of-life/hospice care were examined. Common themes that emerged included the similarities between the nurse-patient relationship and communication, the effectiveness of using a team approach in communication, the needs of caregivers for more effective communication and information regarding end-of-life care, and maintaining closeness and normalcy with their loved one until death. No studies focused specifically on the nature of nurse-family communication during the final days or hours of life, which would be an area for future research to explore.