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BMC Palliative Care
Published in: BMC Palliative Care 1/2008

Open Access 01-12-2008 | Research article

Palliative care for cancer patients in a primary health care setting: Bereaved relatives' experience, a qualitative group interview study

Authors: Mette Asbjoern Neergaard, Frede Olesen, Anders Bonde Jensen, Jens Sondergaard

Published in: BMC Palliative Care | Issue 1/2008

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Abstract

Background

Knowledge about the quality and organisation of care to terminally ill cancer patients with a relatives' view in a primary health care setting is limited.
The aim of the study is to analyse experiences and preferences of bereaved relatives to terminally ill cancer patients in a primary care setting to explore barriers and facilitators for delivery of good palliative home care.

Methods

Three focus group interviews with fourteen bereaved relatives in Aarhus County, Denmark.

Results

Three main categories of experience were identified: 1) The health professionals' management, where a need to optimize was found. 2) Shared care, which was lacking. 3) The relatives' role, which needs an extra focus.

Conclusion

Relatives experience insufficient palliative care mainly due to organizational and cultural problems among professionals. Palliative care in primary care in general needs improvement and attention should be drawn to the "professionalization" of the relatives and the need to strike a balance between their needs, wishes and resources in end-of-life care and bereavement.
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Metadata
Title
Palliative care for cancer patients in a primary health care setting: Bereaved relatives' experience, a qualitative group interview study
Authors
Mette Asbjoern Neergaard
Frede Olesen
Anders Bonde Jensen
Jens Sondergaard
Publication date
01-12-2008
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Palliative Care / Issue 1/2008
Electronic ISSN: 1472-684X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-684X-7-1

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