En kvalitativ studie om pårørendes erfaringer knyttet til etterlattesamtale med sykepleier fra en kommunal institusjon

Abstract

Background: There is a deficiency of bereavement support in Norwegian municipalities. The deficiency is shown in the existing literature of the relatives point of view, both national and internationally. The bereavement support is important forthe bereaved and the palliative care. The follow-up could have a positive effect onthe bereaved. The aim of the study was to gain knowledge about the family membersexperience with follow- up, conducted by a community nurse from a municipalinstitution.Method: The study used a qualitative, descriptive method. Qualitative interviews wereconducted with 7 relatives to earlier cancer patients from two different institutions inNorway. The study used a qualitative content analysis by Graneheim og Lundman(2004).Findings: The findings were interpreted in one main theme: a follow- up inbereavement support with a nurse from a community institution may contribute to aworthy ending with the healthcare professionals.The main categories and subcategories were: 1) the conversations meaning tobereavement care; clarifying and useful, helpful factors for coping with bereavement.2) Good safeguarding: experienced good relation with the nurse, experienced to beprepared, experienced care and empathy, the meaning of continuity. 3) A worthyending: a good experience, the meaning of context and a wish for regular routines.Conclusion: The findings revealed that there is a need for bereavement supportamong relatives to cancer patients in institutions. The follow – up support had apositive impact on the relatives grief and loss experience in this study.Keywords: follow-up, relatives, institution, bereavement care, nurse, qualitative study,qualitative content analysis