Nurses' self-efficacy regarding end-of-life communication: a scoping review

WU Ping; LIU Jiayi; YU Wanchen; MIAO Hui; WANG Jiayu; WANG Shanshan

doi:10.16460/j.issn2097-6569.2025.14.031

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Journal of Nursing ›› 2025, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (14) : 31-37. DOI: 10.16460/j.issn2097-6569.2025.14.031

Nurses' self-efficacy regarding end-of-life communication: a scoping review

WU Ping^a, LIU Jiayi^a, YU Wanchen^a, MIAO Hui^a, WANG Jiayu^a, WANG Shanshan^b

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Abstract

Objective To provide a scoping review of studies on nurses’ self-efficacy regarding end-of-life communication, and to summarize its assessment tools, current status, influencing factors, and intervention strategies. Methods We retrieved literature from Chinese and English databases including PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Medline, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, CNKI, and CBM, with a retrieval time spanning from the inception of the databases to September 2024. The included literature was analyzed and discussed. Results Twenty studies were included, including 11 cross-sectional studies, 4 class-experimental studies, 2 randomized controlled trials, and 3 mixed studies. Nurses' self-efficacy regarding end-of-life communication was assessed by the following instruments: The Communication Subscale of the Hospice Self-Efficacy Scale, a self-designed questionnaire, instruments adapted from those used in other survey-type or intervention studies, an item in the Attitudes to Caring for Patients with a Sense of Meaninglessness Scale on communication self-efficacy, etc. Totally, 38.00% to 54.53% of nurses reported low self-efficacy regarding end-of-life communication. Demographic factors, work experience, work environment, psychological characteristics, and hospice-related experiences affected nurses' self-efficacy regarding end-of-life communication. Intervention strategies for nurses' self-efficacy regarding end-of-life communication were multidisciplinary and with diverse forms. Conclusion Nurses' self-efficacy regarding end-of-life communication needs further improvement, with complex and multidimensional influencing factors, a lack of specific assessment tools and intervention strategies requiring further improvement.

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nurse / end-of-life communication / self-efficacy / hospice care / scoping review

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WU Ping, LIU Jiayi, YU Wanchen, MIAO Hui, WANG Jiayu, WANG Shanshan. Nurses' self-efficacy regarding end-of-life communication: a scoping review[J]. Journal of Nursing. 2025, 32(14): 31-37 https://doi.org/10.16460/j.issn2097-6569.2025.14.031

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