A personal reflection on sitting at the bedside of a dying loved one: the vigil.
This article presents a personal reflection of the dynamics and phenomena that occurred during a 3-day vigil at the bedside of a loved one. This piece reports on the interactions between the patient, family members and staff and refutes, in this instance, the notion that dying in hospital is not a family affair. This reflection shares the experiences of one family and highlights the importance of communication among family members and also between family and staff. The article suggests a number of lessons for practitioners.
Woodhouse
Jan
J
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Care, University College Chester, CH1 4BJ. j.woodhouse@chester.ac.uk
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003142:Communication; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D033262:Narration; D009633:Nonverbal Communication; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D012380:Role; D012944:Social Support; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D014789:Visitors to Patients / Q000523:psychology*