2022-2024 Project:
Definition and validation of the diagnostic label Desire to hasten death
Funding Entity: Nursing and Society Foundation. Official Professional Association for Nurses of Barcelona
Record number: PR-484/2021
Researchers: PI: Cristina Monforte; Members: Iris Crespo, Blanca Goñi, Andrea Rodríguez, Denise Pergolizzi, Joaquín Tomás-Sábado, Merche Bellido, Mariona Guerrero, Carmen Quiñoa, Pilar Fuster, Leandra Martín
INTRODUCTION: Spain has recently approved the law on euthanasia and assisted suicide. As such, nurses are considering the role they will play in its implementation, as well as in the assessment of patients who express a desire to hasten death.
The Desire to hasten death is a phenomenon that is reactive to suffering, that fluctuates over time, that can emerge somewhat frequently in patients with advanced disease and has different meanings depending on the patient.
Recognising the Desire to hasten death as a NANDA nursing diagnosis is an essential step for nurses to participate autonomously in the identification/diagnosis of the phenomenon, as well as in care planning and management.
OBJECTIVES: To define and validate the diagnostic label Desire to hasten death, its defining characteristics and related factors according to the NANDA-I taxonomy, and to define and validate nursing interventions specific to the new diagnosis.
METHOD: Prospective study in three phases: a) Conceptual: an overview-type systematic review will be carried out. b) Definition and validation of the diagnostic label, identification of the defining characteristics and related factors by means of consensus techniques (nominal group and Delphi). c) Identification and validation of the nursing interventions of the new diagnosis by means of nominal group and Delphi.
ANTICIPATED RESULTS: To contribute the new label to NANDA: definition, defining characteristics, related factors and appropriate nursing interventions to address them.
The diagnosis of the Desire to hasten death is a recognition of the autonomous role of nurses in the care of patients who express it, and an opportunity to alleviate underlying suffering.
