Author Identifier
Rosemary Saunders: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6213-4694
Susan Alexander: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3098-0065
Anne Wilkinson: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2406-6552
Manonita Ghosh: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0522-1959
Michelle Gay: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9870-4985
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Palliative and Supportive Care
Volume
23
PubMed ID
40017104
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
School
Centre for Research in Aged Care / School of Nursing and Midwifery / School of Arts and Humanities
Funders
Edith Cowan University (G1003597) / Hollywood Private Hospital Research Foundation / Ron Woss Scholarship / Western Australian Nurses Memorial Charitable Trust
Abstract
Objectives This study explored bereaved relatives' experiences of end-of-life care (EoL care) in the last 3 days in an acute private hospital in Australia. Methods An interpretative qualitative study was conducted. Semi-structured interviews with 8 bereaved relatives whose family member had died at an acute private hospital shared their experiences of the EoL care during the last 3 days of life. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Results Bereaved family members had mixed experiences, and their primary concerns related to the need for improvements in support for the family; communication; and clinicians partnering with families. The need for family support encompassed care for the person dying and the bereaved relatives, before and during the last days of life, and after death. Bereaved relatives perceived that hospital based EoL care could be positive when the care was collaborative with health professionals, patients, and relatives and there was effective communication. Significance of results A patient- and family-centered approach to EoL care should be provided in hospitals, and it requires understanding of the needs of both patients and family members, including informational requirements, communication approaches, and care delivery. Health-care organizations have a responsibility to care for families and this must be considered as part of organizational readiness and ongoing assessment to determine if the standards for EoL care are met. The findings serve as a guide for evidence-informed practice and may contribute to the development of resources and guidelines for delivery of quality EoL care.
DOI
10.1017/S1478951525000045
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
Saunders, R., Alexander, S., Andrew, J., Wilkinson, A., Gullick, K., Davray, A., ... & Gay, M. (2025). Families’ experiences of end-of-life care in an acute private hospital: A qualitative study. Palliative & Supportive Care, 23. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1478951525000045