Family members' expressions of dignity in palliative care: a qualitative study.
Anna Sandgren, Lena Axelsson, Tove Bylund-Grenklo and 1 others
PMID 33022762WHAT IT FOUND
Family members described dignity as being respected, listened to and valued for their knowledge, while their own dignity was closely tied to the ill person's dignity.
Key findings
01Family members described a two-headed paradox: they wanted to care for the ill person and also wanted to escape.
02Family members felt dignity was supported when professionals listened to their story and valued their knowledge about the ill person.
03Family members said having someone to call and the possibility of respite helped them maintain dignity.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study was qualitative and did not test a care intervention. It involved a small, purposive sample of Swedish family members, with few male participants, so the themes may not transfer to other settings. The local services did not provide round-the-clock specialist palliative care, which may shape the experiences described.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these themes as evidence that a dignity intervention works or that all families experience palliative care this way. The study was qualitative and not designed to prove effects.