title: Perception of empowerment by family caregivers of patients with a terminal illness in Hong Kong.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to provide an in-depth description of the nurse-facilitated empowering experiences of family caregivers of terminally ill patients in Hong Kong. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 24 family caregivers of patients with terminal cancer. Grounded theory strategies served as the basis for data collection and analysis. Data were analysed in terms of the strategies, consequences, and interactions involved in the empowering experience. Themes included establishing an engaged relationship; providing information, knowledge and skills; affirming self-worth; and giving reassurance that the patient is under good care. The consequences of empowerment included a trusting relationship, having confidence to carry out caregiving tasks, acceptance of patient's death, sustained self-worth and feeling peace at heart. The focus of empowering experiences was related to the quality of life of the dying patients. Family caregivers require information, education, encouragement and support, and nurses are in an ideal position to meet this need. Fundamental in the empowering process is the formation of a trusting relationship and as a result the caregivers feeling they are not being abandoned or left alone in the caring process. The results of this study can help nurse interact more effectively with family caregivers, giving them direction for effective nursing practice when caring for patients with a terminal illness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing and Health Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mok
authors.forename: Faye
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yeung
mesh_terms: D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D006723:Hong Kong; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D009726:Nurses; D011209:Power, Psychological; D013727:Terminal Care