Factors affecting nurses' attitude toward withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment for children

Purpose: The purpose of study was to investigate factors affecting nurses' attitudes toward withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment in children. Design and methods: This descriptive survey study included 167 nurses working at children's hospitals or children's wards. Data were collected through a structured self-administered survey in November 2022. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, t-test, ANOVA, the Dunnett's T3 test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression. Results: Attitude toward withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment in children showed a significant positive correlation with knowledge of life-sustaining treatment decision-making (r = 0.38, p < .001) and meaning as a subcategory of moral sensitivity (r = 0.21, p 0.008). The factors affecting attitude toward withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment in children were knowledge of life-sustaining treatment decision-making (β =0.31, p < .001) and meaning (β = 0.18, p = .015). This model showed a 21.0% explanation of attitude toward withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment in children. Conclusions: Developing an effective educational program designed to improve nurses' knowledge and attitude toward life-sustaining treatment decision-making is necessary. Practice implications: It may have a positive influence on attitudes toward withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment in children by improving child nurses' knowledge about life-sustaining treatment decision-making and moral sensitivity.