Abstract
BACKGROUND: Advances in health care seem incapable of eliminating fear of death among elderly patients (Eps) ill with chronic cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Lack of research on the topic shows the uniqueness and novelty of this study. The following research questions were raised: "How do nurses assist elderly patients ill with chronic CVD who experience fear of death? What kind of emotions do nurses experience and how do they deal with this while working with elderly patients ill with chronic CVD who experience fear of death?" AIM: The study aimed to highlight how nurses help patients, and self-help, in managing personal emotions while working with elderly patients ill with chronic CVD and experiencing fear of death. SETTING: The research setting in this study was five hospitals from the five biggest cities of Lithuania. METHODS: In the research study, a qualitative research design was applied. Fifteen individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with nurses. For data analysis, latent qualitative content analysis was used. RESULTS: Findings showed that nurses assist elderly patients ill with chronic CVD and their families by helping overcome their fear of death by using empathetic and respectful communication, and cooperating with other specialists for managing and supporting patients' needs. Nurses help themselves by managing their emotions through maintaining professional distance and demonstrating professionalism and confidentiality. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses assist elderly patients ill with chronic CVD who experience fear of death to manage their emotions by communicating respectfully and empathetically, creating dignified relationships, establishing a comfortable emotional and social environment, providing specific information, recommending therapy for emotional well-being, organizing special professional assistance, and encouraging family involvement. Nurses help themselves while managing their own emotions by reflecting in- and after-acting at work, detaching emotions from work, and finding time for personal interests.