A support group programme for relatives during the late palliative phase

• This study describes an intervention where relatives were invited to take part in a support group programme during the late palliative phase of their family member. The purpose was to describe their experiences of the support group programme and the subsequent impact on their lives as relatives of a terminally ill person. Qualitative interviews were chosen as the data collection method. The analysis was inspired by the phenomenological method as described by Giorgi (1989). The relatives’ experiences were categorised into six key constituents: confirmation; insight into the gravity of the illness; sense of belonging created by similar experiences; participation in the care system; being able to rest; and strength to provide support for the patient. These six constituents resulted in a sense of safety in relation to the patient, the illness, the nursing staff and the care unit. The study’s findings show that interventions of this kind may be integral to the relatives’ ability to handle their situation when caring for a terminally ill family member.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Adaptation; Psychological

Adult

Aged

Aged; 80 and over

Attitude to Death

Attitude to Health

Caregivers/education/psychology

Curriculum

Empathy

Family/*psychology

Female

Humans

Male

Middle Aged

Models; Psychological

Nursing Methodology Research

Organizational Objectives

Palliative Care/*organization & administration/psychology

Qualitative Research

Questionnaires

Safety

Self-Help Groups/*organization & administration

Social Support

Sweden

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

Caring sciences

Vårdvetenskap

Vårdvetenskap

Nursing Science

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)