Nurses' Perception of the effects of Companion Pets in Hospice Settings

<p>The intention of this qualitative (phenomenological) study was to investigate the impact of various companion or visiting pets on the symptom management of hospice patients. Nine in-depth interviews of hospice nurses were conducted and some field notes were taken during data collection. Data analysis was accomplished according to Van Manen’s Selective Approach (Polit & Beck, 2004), where the researcher highlighted and extracted statements or phrases that seemed essential to the effects of companion pets on the hospice patients. Following interpretive narrative analysis of transcriptions and field notes, several themes were identified: Gannon and Walter, two super hero dogs; Creating a storm, tolerance versus intolerance of companion pets; Healing pets; and Stigmatizing and isolating maladies. The findings of the study indicated an overall positive and significant correlation between companion pets and symptom management of the hospice patients. Also, this study supports the need for further replication research investigating the potential benefits of companion and visiting animals in hospice settings as an evident based practice. Furthermore, the author is confident in the transferability of the findings of this qualitative study to other palliative and hospice settings. The researcher strongly suggests the promotion of companion and visiting pets as a routine and adjunctive measure in the symptom management of hospice patients based on evidence based nursing practice.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Nursing

Year

2005

Author dc:creator

• Sorkhabi, Nasser

Contributors dc:contributor

• Luanne Linnard-Palmer, EdD, RN

• Nursing

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholar.dominican.edu/nursing-masters-theses/8

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholar.dominican.edu:nursing-masters-theses-1007