BACKGROUND Patients in the last phase of their lives often use many medications. Physicians tend to lack awareness that reviewing the usefulness of medication at the end of patients' lives is important. The aim of this study is to gain insight into the perspectives of patients, informal caregivers, nurses and physicians on the role of nurses in medication management at the end of life. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients in the last phase of their lives, in hospitals, hospices and at home; and with their informal caregivers, nurses and physicians. Data were qualitatively analyzed using the constant comparative method. RESULTS Seventy-six interviews were conducted, with 17 patients, 12 informal caregivers, 15 nurses, 20 (trainee) medical specialists and 12 family physicians. Participants agreed that the role of the nurse in medication management includes: 1) informing, 2) supporting, 3) representing and 4) involving the patient, their informal caregivers and physicians in medication management. Nurses have a particular role in continuity of care and proximity to the patient. They are expected to contribute to a multidimensional assessment and approach, which is important for promoting patients' interest in medication management at the end of life. CONCLUSIONS We found that nurses can and should play an important role in medication management at the end of life by informing, supporting, representing and involving all relevant parties. Physicians should appreciate nurses' input to optimize medication management in patients at the end of life. Health care professionals should recognize the role the nurses can have in promoting patients' interest in medication management at the end of life. Nurses should be reinforced by education and training to take up this role.

中文翻译：

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护士在临终时在药物管理中的作用：定性访谈研究。

背景技术处于生命最后阶段的患者经常使用许多药物。医师往往缺乏意识到在患者生命终结时复查药物有效性的重要性。这项研究的目的是深入了解患者，非正式照料者，护士和医生在临终时护士在药物管理中的作用。方法在患者生命的最后阶段，无论是在医院，医院还是在家里，都进行了半结构化访谈。以及他们的非正式护理人员，护士和医师。使用常数比较法对数据进行定性分析。结果进行了76例访谈，对17例患者，12名非正式护理人员，15名护士，20名（实习生）医学专家和12位家庭医生进行了访谈。参加者一致认为，护士在药物管理中的作用包括：1）告知，2）支持，3）代表和4）使患者，其非正式护理人员和医生参与药物管理。护士在持续护理和与患者亲近方面起着特殊的作用。他们有望为多维评估和方法做出贡献，这对于提高患者生命周期结束后对药物管理的兴趣非常重要。结论我们发现，护士可以并且应该通过通知，支持，代表并让所有有关方面参与而在生命的尽头对药物管理发挥重要作用。医生应感谢护士的意见，以优化生命尽头的患者药物管理。医护人员应认识到护士在临终之时对提高患者对药物管理的兴趣中可以发挥的作用。应通过教育和培训来加强护士的职责。