Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: Doctors and nurses are central in the challenging task of end-of-life (EOL) care, and this study aims to explore and describe doctors\' and nurses\' experiences of recognition and acknowledgment of the end of life for patients with cancer.
METHODS: A qualitative, explorative research design with individual interviews was carried out based on a semi-open interview guide. A total of 6 doctors and 6 nurses working in medical or surgical departments at a Norwegian University hospital were interviewed. The interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.
RESULTS: The study\'s findings highlight that recognizing and acknowledging patients with cancer as being at end-of-life is a challenging process. Three subthemes emerged from the analysis; the significance of being experienced, the significance of organizational structures, and the significance of having a common understanding. A main theme was analyzed further and abstracted from the subthemes; Being safe to manage the balancing act of recognizing and acknowledging the end of life.
CONCLUSIONS: Much is at stake in the EOL setting, and healthcare professionals (HCP) must balance several aspects regarding EOL decisions. Striking the right balance in these situations is challenging. HCPs need a safety net through collaboration with, and support from, colleagues, supporting organizational structures and experience. Strengthening the safety net will have a clear impact on improving clinical practice to reduce futile treatment and provide high-quality EOL care for all dying patients in hospitals.
METHODS: A qualitative, explorative research design with individual interviews was carried out based on a semi-open interview guide. A total of 6 doctors and 6 nurses working in medical or surgical departments at a Norwegian University hospital were interviewed. The interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.
RESULTS: The study\'s findings highlight that recognizing and acknowledging patients with cancer as being at end-of-life is a challenging process. Three subthemes emerged from the analysis; the significance of being experienced, the significance of organizational structures, and the significance of having a common understanding. A main theme was analyzed further and abstracted from the subthemes; Being safe to manage the balancing act of recognizing and acknowledging the end of life.
CONCLUSIONS: Much is at stake in the EOL setting, and healthcare professionals (HCP) must balance several aspects regarding EOL decisions. Striking the right balance in these situations is challenging. HCPs need a safety net through collaboration with, and support from, colleagues, supporting organizational structures and experience. Strengthening the safety net will have a clear impact on improving clinical practice to reduce futile treatment and provide high-quality EOL care for all dying patients in hospitals.
摘要：
目标：医生和护士在具有挑战性的临终护理（EOL）任务中处于中心地位，这项研究旨在探索和描述医生和护士对癌症患者生命终结的认识和认可的经验。
方法：定性，基于半开放式访谈指南，进行了个人访谈的探索性研究设计。采访了挪威大学一家医院在内科或外科部门工作的6名医生和6名护士。访谈采用定性内容分析进行分析。
结果：这项研究的发现强调，识别和承认癌症患者处于生命终结状态是一个具有挑战性的过程。分析中出现了三个子主题；经历的意义，组织结构的重要性，以及共同理解的重要性。进一步分析了一个主要主题，并从子主题中抽象出来；安全地管理识别和承认生命终结的平衡行为。
结论：在EOL设置中存在很多风险，和医疗保健专业人员（HCP）必须平衡有关EOL决策的几个方面。在这些情况下取得适当的平衡是具有挑战性的。HCP需要通过与，和支持，同事们,支持组织结构和经验。加强安全网将对改善临床实践产生明显影响，以减少徒劳的治疗，并为医院中所有垂死的患者提供高质量的EOL护理。
方法：定性，基于半开放式访谈指南，进行了个人访谈的探索性研究设计。采访了挪威大学一家医院在内科或外科部门工作的6名医生和6名护士。访谈采用定性内容分析进行分析。
结果：这项研究的发现强调，识别和承认癌症患者处于生命终结状态是一个具有挑战性的过程。分析中出现了三个子主题；经历的意义，组织结构的重要性，以及共同理解的重要性。进一步分析了一个主要主题，并从子主题中抽象出来；安全地管理识别和承认生命终结的平衡行为。
结论：在EOL设置中存在很多风险，和医疗保健专业人员（HCP）必须平衡有关EOL决策的几个方面。在这些情况下取得适当的平衡是具有挑战性的。HCP需要通过与，和支持，同事们,支持组织结构和经验。加强安全网将对改善临床实践产生明显影响，以减少徒劳的治疗，并为医院中所有垂死的患者提供高质量的EOL护理。
