Music during after-death care: a focus group study.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Palliative Care
• Music Therapy

Background:

• Intensive care units (ICUs) are critical care environments where patients may die.
• Nursing care extends beyond a patient's death to include post-mortem care and family support.
• The role of ambient music in after-death care within ICUs remains an area for exploration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore nurses' experiences and attitudes regarding ambient music use during after-death care in the ICU.
• To describe family feedback on the use of music during the viewing of a deceased patient.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative research design was employed.
• Three focus group interviews were conducted with 15 nurses.
• Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Main Results:

• Nurses exhibited varied attitudes toward music in after-death care.
• Music was perceived to influence the ICU atmosphere and patients' emotions.
• Positive feedback was received from bereaved families regarding music during viewings.
• The use of music was situational, with specific choices often preferred.

Conclusions:

• Ambient music can be beneficial for nurses providing after-death care.
• Music may assist grieving relatives during the viewing process, making the experience more meaningful.
• The decision to use music should be individualized, involving the nurse and the family, rather than standardized.