How to build trusting end of life relationships with patients

Advice on ensuring a person-centred approach, effective communication and, just as important, self-care for nurses in this role

What does it mean to be a ‘silent companion’ and how does this help to build trust at the end of a patient’s life?

This is explored in the latest episode of the Nursing Standard podcast, which examines the challenges nurses face when providing person-centred end of life care.

Other topics addressed include effective communication, building authentic and trusting relationships, and the importance of nurses in this role being able to care for themselves.

Marie Curie experts share their wisdom on end of life care

Joining our podcast host, RCNi CPD editor Nick Lipley, are RCNi authors Tracy Smith and Kasia Patynowska, both of whom work for UK end of life care charity Marie Curie.

Ms Smith is Marie Curie clinical educator for Scotland and Ms Patynowska is a Marie Curie research nurse in Northern Ireland.

• RELATED: How to inform relatives and loved ones of a patient's death (RCNi Learning)

 

Supporting person-centred end of life care is the focus of a RCNi CPD article, co-authored by Ms Smith and Ms Patynowska with Marie Curie colleagues, and published in Primary Health Care.

Publication of the article has been supported by Marie Curie, which allows it to be open access (available free to read).

More Nursing Standard podcasts

Further information

• Role of the community nurse in supporting person-centred end of life care
• RCNi Plus articles on end of life care
• NHS information on end of life care
• Royal College of Nursing resources on well-being, self-care and resilience