Concept Analysis of Futile Care in the Oncology Nursing: A Hybrid Model

Forough Rafii; Hadi Ranjbar; Mohammadreza Dinmohammadi; Farshid Alazmani Noodeh

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2020.3927

Authors

Forough Rafii Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Hadi Ranjbar Mental Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
Mohammadreza Dinmohammadi Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
Farshid Alazmani Noodeh Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2020.3927

Keywords:

Futile care, Concept analysis, Hybrid model, Oncology

Abstract

BACKGROUND: With the advances in medical technology and care of patients with cancer, the concept of futile care attracted more attention in the field of oncology. Futile care in the context of oncology nursing is an ambiguous and complex concept. Despite the importance of it in the professional care for patients with cancers, it was not defined clearly in the social and cultural contexts of Iran.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to clarify and identify the components and inner structures of futile care from the perspective of nurses dealing with patients with advanced cancer using a hybrid model.

METHODS: In the present study, the concept of futile care was analyzed based on the hybrid model in three phases including theoretical, fieldwork, and final analytical phase. In the theoretical phase, the related studies were analyzed. In the fieldwork phase, 10 interviews were conducted with nurses in oncology departments. Finally, the concept attributes were determined through a general analysis of the results of theoretical and fieldwork phases.

RESULTS: The definition of the concept of futile care in oncology is continuous clinical services without reaching to desired outcome with simultaneous unrelated responsibilities for nurses. These services were provided to patients that have poor prognosis and they do not result on improve of patient’s survival or quality of life. The most important consequences of futile care are job burnout for nurses, unnecessary suffering for patients, and heavy expenses for health system.

CONCLUSION: Futile care in oncology nursing has severe outcomes on nurses. Based on the definition, new scales can be developed to assess the futile care among nurses in oncology settings.

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