A qualitative study of family carers views on how end-of-life communication contributes to palliative-oriented care in nursing home

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Abstract

Background: Although family-centered communication about end-of-life care has been recognized to promote palliative-oriented care in nursing home (NH), how this communication may work is still unknown. Therefore, we explored the process by which end-of-life communication may contribute to palliative-oriented care in NH from the perspective of bereaved family carers.

Methods: A descriptive qualitative design was performed. Interviews were conducted with 32 bereaved family carers whose relative had died between 45 days to 9 months prior from 13 different NHs. A two-steps analysis process firstly with deductive and then with inductive content analysis was adopted.

Results: End-of-life communication contributed to palliative-oriented care by: a) improving knowledge of family carers’ preferences; b) promoting family carers understanding about their relative’s health conditions, prognosis, and treatment available; c) fostering shared decision-making between healthcare professionals and residents/family carers; and d) improving knowledge of residents’ preferences. 

Conclusion: Clear and in-depth communication provides insight into residents’ and family carers’ preferences for care and treatment at the end-of-life, and increases understanding and shared decision-making.  

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Authors

Silvia Gonella - University of Roma Tor Vergata, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6294-9834

Ines Basso - University of Torino, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics

Marco Clari - University of Torino, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics

Paola Di Giulio - University of Torino, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics

How to Cite
Gonella, S., Basso, I., Clari, M., & Di Giulio, P. (2020). A qualitative study of family carers views on how end-of-life communication contributes to palliative-oriented care in nursing home. Annali dell’Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, 56(3), 315–324. Retrieved from https://annali.iss.it/index.php/anna/article/view/1012
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