Hospice at home service: the carer's perspective.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to explore the bereaved caregivers' experience of the Hospice at Home service delivered in one region of the UK.


METHODS
Three hundred and ten bereaved caregivers identified by the Community Specialist Palliative Care Team or Hospice at Home nurse, who met inclusion criteria, were sent a postal questionnaire to explore their views and experiences of the Hospice at Home service. Data were collected during 2002.


RESULTS
In total, 128 caregivers responded, providing a 41% response rate. Most caregivers believed that the Hospice at Home service enabled their loved one's wish to be cared for and to die at home to be fulfilled. A number of suggestions were made relating to increased awareness of the service, training for staff, coordination of service delivery and bereavement support.


CONCLUSIONS
The bereaved caregivers were thankful for the Hospice at Home service; however, the need for practical support, increased awareness of the Hospice at Home service and bereavement support were also identified. Although the bereaved caregivers provided a valuable insight in evaluating service provision, it is acknowledged that some caregivers are often so grateful for the treatment and care received that they tend to forget or ignore their less pleasant experiences. Further research is therefore required using an in-depth qualitative approach investigating on the carers' views and experiences of accessing the Hospice at Home service.
McLaughlin
Dorry
D
Northern Ireland Hospice Care, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. dorry.mclaughlin@nihospicecare.com
Sullivan
Kate
K
Hasson
Felicity
F
D001294:Attitude to Health; D001601:Bereavement; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000592:standards*; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000523:psychology; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom