Sheltering under a shield of love-A phenomenological-hermeneutic study of relatives' experiences in an acute neurological ward.
Lærke Toft Hesselvig, Malene Beck, Charlotte Simony
PMID 32587728WHAT IT FOUND
Relatives of acute neurological patients hid their own distress and put on a composed facade to protect the patient, while feeling lonely, anxious, and unable to keep everyday routines.
Key findings
01Relatives hid their own sadness and anxiety while visiting, trying to appear strong so the patient would not worry.
02Relatives needed to talk about their feelings but feared being exposed, and they felt lonely when attention remained on the patient.
03Hospitalization changed relatives' everyday routines, as they prioritized the patient and lived with uncertainty about death or lasting change.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only six relatives were interviewed at one hospital in Denmark, so the findings cannot show how common these experiences are or whether they apply to all families. The study aimed to explore lived experience rather than test an intervention, and the authors state the interpretation is contextual and other settings may yield different themes. None of the relatives were employed full-time; they were retired, unemployed, or students, so working relatives and caregivers with different daily demands were not represented. The participants were mainly very young or older adults, limiting the age range. Relatives were recruited through the head nurse and only with the patient's acceptance, which may have shaped who could take part.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that a relative who appears calm is coping well. The study found that relatives hid distress behind a facade and felt lonely, so calmness in the ward may not mean they need no support.