'It was peaceful, it was beautiful': A qualitative study of family understandings of good end-of-life care in hospital for people dying in advanced age. (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gott, Merryn; Robinson, Jackie; Moeke-Maxwell, Tess; Black, Stella; Williams, Lisa; Wharemate, Rawiri; Wiles, Janine
• Is Part Of: Palliative medicine. Volume 33:Number 7(2019)
• Page Start: 793
• Page End: 801
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: Hospitals -- aged -- 80 and over -- palliative care -- public health -- indigenous populations -- caregivers -- family–staff relations; Pain -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Palliative treatment -- Periodicals; Palliative Care -- Periodicals; Palliatieve behandeling; 616.029
• DOI: 10.1177/0269216319843026
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-2163

Abstract

Background: Hospitals are important sites of end-of-life care, particularly for older people. A need has been identified to understand best practice in hospital end-of-life care from the service-user perspective. Aim: The aim of this study was to identify examples of good care received in the hospital setting during the last 3 months of life for people dying in advanced age from the perspective of bereaved family members. Design: A social constructionist framework underpinned a qualitative research design. Data were analysed thematically drawing on an appreciative enquiry framework. Setting/participants: Interviews were conducted with 58 bereaved family carers nominated by 52 people aged >80 years participating in a longitudinal study of ageing. Data were analysed for the 21 of 34 cases where family members were 'extremely' or 'very' satisfied with a public hospital admission their older relative experienced in their last 3 months of life. Results: Participants' accounts of good care aligned with Dewar and Nolan's relation-centred compassionate care model: (1) a relationship based on empathy; (2) effective interactions between patients/families and staff; (3) contextualised knowledge of the patient/family; and (4) patients/families being active participants in care. We extended the model to the bicultural context of Aotearoa, New Zealand. Conclusion: We identify concrete actions that clinicians working in acute hospitals can integrate into their practice to deliver end-of-life care with which families are highly satisfied. Further research is required to support the implementation of the relation-centred compassionate care model within hospitals, with suitable adaptations for local context, and explore the subsequent impact on patients, families and staff.