title: Next of kin's experiences of information and responsibility during their older relatives' care transitions from hospital to municipal health care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To gain an understanding of how next of kin experience the transition of their older relatives from hospital to municipal health care.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  During the care transition of their older relatives, next of kin experience a period of ill-defined roles and expectations. Successful transition lays the ground for postdischarge treatment and care, in which next of kin have important roles.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive, exploratory design was used to gain a greater understanding of the experiences of next of kin during their older relatives' care transitions.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted qualitative interviews of 13 next of kin of patients aged ≥80 years who had been discharged from the hospital to municipal care. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The main theme, 'Next of kin balance multiple tasks during older relatives' care transitions', emerged from two subthemes: 'Next of kin strive to fulfil informational needs during care transition' and 'Next of kin take responsibility for the older relative during care transition'.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Next of kin have the challenging role of letting their older relative manage self-care during transition, when able, while being prepared to act on behalf of their relative as needed. Insufficient information and significant responsibilities contribute to unnecessary concerns and worries among next of kin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurses in both hospitals and municipal health care will benefit from knowing more about the experiences of next of kin; this may ensure continuity of care during transitions and diminish unnecessary worries and concerns. Clinical nurses should be sensitive to the next of kin's need for support so the next of kin can better manage their older relatives' care after homecoming.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway.|Faculty of Health and Caring sciences, Stord Haugesund University College, Stord, Norway.|Department of Clinical Medicine, Helse Fonna Local Health Authority, Haugesund, Norway.
authors.forename: Else Cathrine
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Rustad
authors.affiliation: Palliative Research Center, Ersta Sklöndal University College, Stockholm, Sweden.|Faculty of Health and Caring Sciences, Stord Haugesund University College, Haugesund, Norway.|Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Berit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Seiger Cronfalk
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway.
authors.forename: Bodil
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Furnes
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway.
authors.forename: Elin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dysvik
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010360:Patient Transfer; D011368:Professional-Family Relations
keywords: care transition; continuity of care; next of kin; older patients