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End-of-life and bereavement support to families in cancer care: A cross-sectional survey with bereaved family members

Thaqi, Qëndresa; Riguzzi, Marco; Blum, David; Peng-Keller, Simon; Lorch, Anja; Naef, Rahel (2024). End-of-life and bereavement support to families in cancer care: A cross-sectional survey with bereaved family members. BMC Health Services Research, 24(1):155.

Abstract

Background
Losing a close other to cancer is an incisive experience that occurs after a long course of illness and intense family caregiving. Despite an evident need for family engagement and support and guidance on this, patients and family members may not receive the attention and support they need when a family unit is experiencing a disruption by death. A clear understanding of the quality of care that is currently provided and its ability to address family needs is necessary to improve end-of-life and bereavement support to families affected by cancer. The purpose of this study is to investigate the quality of support of end-of-life and bereavement care to families, their (un)met needs, grief experiences, and self-perceived health outcomes.

Methods
A multi-center, cross-sectional observational survey study with family members (n = 35) whose close other died of cancer in a health institution or their own home in German-speaking Switzerland.

Results
Bereaved family members were mostly satisfied with end-of-life care. Information on the grief process and services, and acknowledgment of their grief was experienced as helpful. Most coped with their grief drawing on family resources and exhibited resilience, but they reported unmet needs in relation to family togetherness and caregiving.

Conclusion
This study with a small number of family members indicates that support provided to families across settings and illness trajectories is perceived as helpful, with specific needs related to family support. The findings suggest that improvements should focus on ensuring care that addresses the family as a unit and enables togetherness, mutual reflection, meaningful relationships, preparedness for death, resilience, and benefit-finding.

Protocol registration
https://osf.io/j4kfh.

Additional indexing

Item Type:Journal Article, refereed, original work
Communities & Collections:04 Faculty of Medicine > Institute of Implementation Science in Health Care
04 Faculty of Medicine > University Hospital Zurich > Clinic for Radiation Oncology
04 Faculty of Medicine > University Hospital Zurich > Clinic for Oncology and Hematology
Dewey Decimal Classification:610 Medicine & health
Language:English
Date:1 February 2024
Deposited On:06 Feb 2024 11:18
Last Modified:27 Feb 2025 02:38
Publisher:BioMed Central
ISSN:1472-6963
OA Status:Gold
Free access at:Publisher DOI. An embargo period may apply.
Publisher DOI:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-10575-2
PubMed ID:38303007
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