Support practices by an interdisciplinary team in a palliative-care unit for relatives of patients in agonal phase.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In the absence of extant recommendations, the aim of this study was to formalise support practices used by an interdisciplinary team in a palliative-care unit (PCU) for the relatives of patients in the agonal phase preceding death. The secondary objective was to understand the expectations of relatives during this phase in terms of the support provided by professionals and volunteers.

Methods

Thirty-two people took part in this study; all were interviewed through focus groups (FGs). Each FG comprised one category of individuals working in the PCU: nurses, care- assistants, doctors, psychologists, other professionals, palliative-care volunteers, and relatives. Groups were surveyed using an interview guide, and the interviews were recorded and transcribed to enable

SUBMITTER: Melin M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7678093 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature