Caregivers' lived experience of assisted feeding

The aim of this study was to explore caregivers' experience of assisted feeding.

Assisted feeding presupposes a technical and creative coordination of the behaviour of the caregiver and the person who needs assistance. To achieve this, the two parties must be able to perceive and interpret each other's verbal and non-verbal behaviour and respond.

A qualitative approach using in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted with caregivers was used.

Twelve caregivers with different educational background (nurses and care assistants) were interviewed during 2010. Transcriptions of interviews were analysed using the phenomenological guidelines by Dahlberg and colleagues.

The essence of assisted feeding among caregivers was identified to be a healing activity creating a basis for recovery. The constituents of the essence were as follows: with simulated calmness, with the nutritional aspect in mind, with relatives as source and resource, with work experiences and personal preferences as reference points and with inconsistent reactions to patient behaviours.

When performing assisted feeding, caregivers adjust their care to the individual patient drawing on their personal knowledge and empathy. They mainly focus on the nutritional aspect of assisted feeding but also take their own beliefs and societal norms around eating into consideration. There seems to be a tension between the importance caregivers assign to the nutritional aspect of assisted feeding and the low status this task holds, not only in the hierarchy of hospital activities but also among caregivers.

An overriding guideline for assisted feeding should be formulated, so that the activity will be less dependent on the individual caregiver's personal beliefs, time pressure and the character of the surroundings.