title: Dying at home of cancer: whose needs are being met? The experience of family carers and healthcare professionals (a multiperspective qualitative study).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Supporting patients to die in the place of their choosing is an important aspect of end of life care. Our study set out to answer the question: 'How does the home environment influence perceptions of quality of death, and the experience of caring for the dying at home, for family carers and healthcare professionals (HCPs)?
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative approach, using multiperspective interviews with bereaved family carers (n=15) and a nominated HCP (n=13) ensured depth of insight gained into supporting a home death. The semistructured interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using Framework.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that the home environment enabled normality, a sense of control and individualised care which family carers often perceived as contributing towards a good death. However, the home environment created challenges for both family carers and HCPs, due to the differing and at times conflicting needs of the dying person and their family carers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have shed light on the complexity of balancing the demands and the satisfaction of caring for someone dying at home. The ability to manage these conflicting needs influenced whether carers perceived the home setting as the best place for the person to have received care in their last days of life.
authors.affiliation: Specialist Palliative Care Team, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (Central Area), Bodelwyddan, UK.
authors.forename: Jackie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pottle
authors.affiliation: North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research, Bangor University, Wrexham, UK.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hiscock
authors.affiliation: Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Neal
authors.affiliation: North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research, Bangor University, Wrexham, UK.
authors.forename: Marlise
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Poolman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001293:Attitude to Death; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Dying; Home care; Qualitative; Terminal care