Palliativ vård på sjukhus ur ett närståendeperspektiv : en litteraturstudie

by Gustafsson, Lena; Willén, Karolina

The aim with the study was to do a literature review describing the experience of being a relative to a patient of cancer who is in palliative care in hospital. The study focuses on the relative’s feelings about encounters and their participation in the hospital care. Palliative care should signify the achievement of greatest possible quality of life to the patient and his family. Encounters involve the interactions between people and also awareness and the ability to care for other peoples needs. Relatives to a dying person should participate in the care and together with the patient and the caregivers establish a working team around the dying person. The results showed that a confirmation meeting, a good relation, support from the nurses, an allowing environment and plenty of time appeared to be important for a caring encounter. The relatives taking part in care, honest information and active communication with the nurse encouraged relatives’ participation. People will always die in hospitals. It is the caregivers’ responsibility to make that time as good as possible for the whole family.