Difficulties for a practitioner preparing a family for the death of a parent: a narrative inquiry. (3rd July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Macpherson, Catriona
• Is Part Of: Mortality. Volume 23:Number 3(2018)
• Page Start: 247
• Page End: 260
• Publication Date: 2018-07-03
• Subjects: Specialist palliative care -- parental terminal illness -- children and young people; Thanatology -- Periodicals; Mortality -- Periodicals; Bereavement -- Periodicals; Undertakers and undertaking -- Periodicals; 304.64
• DOI: 10.1080/13576275.2017.1339677
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1357-6275

Abstract

Abstract: A practitioner inquiry within an NHS specialist palliative care context used narrative methods to explore difficulties faced by practitioners when assisting a family in the process of preparing a child for the death of a parent. In this account, the practitioners failed to facilitate advanced family preparation despite several attempts. Methods to address and overcome inherent ethical difficulties and reveal relational practice were developed. Data included naturally occurring conversations between practitioners relating to one family, systematically exploring difficulties faced and meaning constructed in depth. The data were then used to fictionalise a family account that re-presented actual challenges practitioners confronted. Reflexivity was used to unfold the layers of complex influences and ethical issues practitioners face when grappling with making meaning. Even with a clear understanding of processes and willingness to facilitate difficult conversations, practitioners face tensions between respect for a dying patient's needs, avoiding undermining the family culture and meeting children's needs. Contrary to the requirement to practise from an evidence base, some situations require the ability to work with 'not knowing'. Limitations include the subjective nature of the account and the smoothing over of complexity pertaining to lived experience.