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Health-promoting conversations about hope and suffering with couples in palliative care
Eva Gunilla Benzein1, Britt-Inger Saveman
1School of Human Sciences, Kalmar University, Kalmar, Sweden. eva.benzein@hik.se
Background:
Families living with a dying relative face existential challenges which need to be met by caregivers in a dialogue.
Aim:
To describe couples' experiences of participating in nurse-initiated health-promoting conversations about hope and suffering during home-based palliative care.
Method:
Data comprised semi-structured evaluative interviews with six couples. Each couple together had previously participated in three health-fostering conversations with nurses. Data were analyzed by content.
Result:
Talking with nurses about existential issues such as hope and suffering made couples feel that they were part of a trustful relationship, and that it was a healing experience. It gave them the opportunity to unburden themselves, as well as a way of learning and finding new strategies for managing daily life.
Conclusion:
Health-promoting conversations about hope and suffering should be implemented as a natural part of the caring relationship between caregivers and families in the palliative context.
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