Communication is more than just a conversation: family members' satisfaction with end-of-life care

• Published in: International Journal of Palliative Nursing
• Main Authors: Jóhannesdóttir, Silja, Hjörleifsdóttir, Elísabet
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Mark Allen Group 2018
• Subjects: Advanced and Specialized Nursing; Iceland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.12968/ijpn.2018.24.10.483; http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/pdf/10.12968/ijpn.2018.24.10.483

Aim: The main aim of this study was to investigate family member's experiences of communicating with health professionals (HP) during end-of-life care in acute medical wards and a nursing home. Methods: A qualitative approach using 19 semi-structured interviews to collect data was used. The text was analysed using a content analysis methodology, extracting content that reflected family member's experiences of end-of-life care in acute medical wards, and a nursing home in Iceland. Results: Four themes were identified as contributing to favourable communication with HPs in end-of-life care: establishing a relationship; flow of information; environment; acceptance at the time of death. Conclusion: Findings suggested that the context of communication in end-of-life care is more than just a conversation. It includes health professional's appearances, decision-making and respect. Satisfactory communication is a necessary factor of quality of care and the fundamental aspect of the establishment of a positive interpersonal relationship.