Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference
Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007
Conference Proceedings
emotional situation, by using healing touch…it was an uplifting and
gratifying experience (yet again).
This same participant discussed how she used this modality
during the dying process with a client. She wrote:
Geriatric…patient…in…active dying process…drifting in and out
of terminal restlessness…remained at…bedside doing healing
touch…rested comfortably…did not need…Ativan…not
responsive…could hear everything…daughter arrived…able to speak
to her about how gentle…dying process is…spoke over…bed of
joyous times…did…wonderful life review…explained…energy
field…daughter participated in doing …‘chakra spread’…preparing
mother for…transition…SHE OPENED HER EYES…clearly said “I
want you to go and get some rest. I am fine”…her eyes radiated
with love and peace…she died peacefully two hours
after…left…bedside.
Another participant, who utilizes a variety of integrative
therapies, also shared her experience with a client during the dying
process. She wrote:
Had…patient…at…end of life…wanted badly to make his
transition…was in… small house…chaotic…kids…dogs running
wild…patient in a prominent position in…hospital bed…in…living
room…caregivers…in conflict…sat down with them in…presence of
…very agitated, but conscious, patient. Did imagery…focus
on…heart center…love for…patient, themselves…with each
other…look deeper into...heart…see exactly what…each
needed…after each one shared…patient…calm…they better
understand…patient’s inability to relax was directly related to
their conflict…patient passed on peacefully within 48 hours.
This same participant continued to share how empowering it
was for her and the families she works with during the dying
process. She wrote:
Working with families…sometimes more important than
working with…patient when end is imminent…needed…someone to
intervene…make environment more conducive to…moving
forward on…journey…empowering experience for all of us.
Comparison of Studies
Participants in both studies were similar with respect to age, gender
(all female), years in nursing and degrees obtained. All participants
were representative of AHNA membership. CITs were written in the
same style with participants’ statements being crisp and succinct.
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