title: Management of relatives of patients who are dying.
abstract: Previous research in a retrospective community-based study suggested that some relatives had difficulty coping with their bereavement when the pre-bereavement period had not been managed well. This prospective study in a hospital setting explored the issues further to include the views and needs of staff as well as relatives. Staff were interviewed in focus groups and relatives were interviewed individually. Analysis of data was qualitative using thematic analysis. Findings demonstrated that staff often felt ill-equipped for providing support for relatives when a patient is dying. Training is required to help nurses support and care for the relatives of dying patients.
authors.affiliation: South Birmingham Primary Care Trust, The Sheldon Unit, Birmingham, UK. jill.main@bscht.wmids.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Main
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001601:Bereavement; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003142:Communication; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000523:psychology*; D006113:United Kingdom