Family experiences of palliative care in the acute hospital setting

The study described in this article sought to gain understanding and insights into the lived experience of families who journeyed with their loved one through the palliative phase of illness as inpatients in the acute hospital setting. The study was carried out in a district general hospital which did not have the services of a palliative care team. A descriptive phenomenological approach was used as the researcher wanted the participants to describe their experience of palliative care in the acute hospital setting as they experienced it. This approach is described in detail. A purposive sample of eight family members was interviewed and data were analysed using Colaizzi's (1978) seven stages of data analysis. The results showed that the acute hospital environment had many shortcomings as a place to deliver palliative care and family members were at times left feeling isolated and helpless. The limitations of the study are discussed along with recommendations that could enhance outcomes of care for family members during this difficult period in their loved one's illness.