Dealing with loss: concerns of patients and families in a hospice setting

Although considerable attention has been given to describing and evaluating the hospice concept from the perspective of caregivers, little research has focused on the perspective of patients and families. The purpose of this study was to describe concerns defined by subjects experiencing loss. Thirty-four interviews were tape recorded, transcribed, and entered into the program Ethnograph for analysis. Concerns of subjects focused on health, communication, religious and existential beliefs, environmental, and psychosocial concerns. Principal meanings of support included providing comfort and maintaining individuals' coping strategies. Narrative examples of key concepts are included. Subjects' reaction to the taping is described. Knowledge of the range of subjects' reactions to loss will facilitate caregivers' assessment of natural and maladaptive reactions, and the development of a valid and reliable instrument to measure the grief experience.