Open AccessExperiences of relatives with outpatient palliative care: a cross-sectional study
Author(s) -
André Fringer,
Sabrina Stängle,
Iren Bischofberger,
Daniel Büche,
Renate Praxmarer,
Stefan Ott,
Wilfried Schnepp
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of palliative nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.425
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 2052-286X
pISSN - 1357-6321
DOI - 10.12968/ijpn.2020.26.5.230
Subject(s) - palliative care , medicine , family medicine , cross sectional study , descriptive statistics , nursing , statistics , mathematics , pathology
Aim: The authors aimed to evaluate the experiences of the relatives of dying people, both in regard to benefits and special needs, when supported by a mobile palliative care bridging service (MPCBS), which exists to enable dying people to stay at home and to support patients' relatives.Design: A cross-sectional survey.Methods: A standardised survey was performed, asking 106 relatives of dying people about their experiences with the MPCBS (response rate=47.3%). Descriptive statistics were analysed using SPSS 23.Findings: Many relatives (62.5%) reported that their dying relations when discharged from a facility to stay at home were not symptom-free. The MPCBS helped relatives maintain home care, and this was reported to be helpful. Support provided by the MPCBS made it easier for 77.6% of relatives to adjust care as soon as situations changed, and helped ensure that symptoms could be better controlled, at least for 68.2% of relatives. Younger relatives felt more encouraged by the MPCBS to care for their relatives dying at home.