title: A qualitative evaluation of a bereavement service: an analysis of the experiences of consumers and providers of services in Australia.
abstract: This study, undertaken in 1994, involved the development of a qualitative framework to evaluate a bereavement service delivered by Silver Chain Hospice Care Service in Western Australia. Fifty in-depth interviews were recorded with bereaved carers, nurses, and volunteers over a five-month period, and transcriptions of the interviews were analyzed. A constant cooperative analysis of the interview data revealed eight common themes related to consistent experiences of bereaved carers, nurses, and volunteers. Themes are discussed for each group separately. The manner in which themes connected to form the interactive environment of the service is subsequently demonstrated. Service experiences, related to major themes, which were highly valued from the perspectives of the three groups of participants are identified. Experiences are then related to particular program processes and interactions consistently described by consumers and providers. Influences on, and barriers to, valued interactions occurring are discussed and elements of a valued bereavement program from the perspectives of participants in the study described. By highlighting valued elements of the service, important areas of service delivery could be identified and safeguarded in future service development.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marquis
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001601:Bereavement; D005260:Female; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014904:Western Australia