TY - JOUR
T1 - Community palliative care nurse experiences and perceptions of follow-up bereavement support visits to carers
AU - Chang, Esther
AU - Bidewell, John
AU - Hancock, Karen
AU - Johnson, Amanda
AU - Easterbrook, Sally
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - Community (district) nurses (CNs) are well positioned to provide follow-up home visits to bereaved families and carers of their recently deceased palliative clients. An Australian survey of CN's (n=58, response rate 29%) described their experiences of bereavement support visits, perceptions of their role in bereavement care and their professional support needs. Although positive experiences were commonly reported, with 95% of participants considering bereavement follow-up visits as consistent with their role, 53% found the visits difficult for reasons such as the nurse or client not understanding the purpose, the CN's excessive personal identification with the client's situation, the emotional intensity of visits, and lack of confidence or skills despite prior training. The nature and quality of the CN's prior relationship with the bereaved family was an important determinant of the visits' success. Results highlight the value of bereavement support visits, while identifying professional development needs. Managing emotionally intense episodes should receive priority in preparing CN's for this challenging role.
AB - Community (district) nurses (CNs) are well positioned to provide follow-up home visits to bereaved families and carers of their recently deceased palliative clients. An Australian survey of CN's (n=58, response rate 29%) described their experiences of bereavement support visits, perceptions of their role in bereavement care and their professional support needs. Although positive experiences were commonly reported, with 95% of participants considering bereavement follow-up visits as consistent with their role, 53% found the visits difficult for reasons such as the nurse or client not understanding the purpose, the CN's excessive personal identification with the client's situation, the emotional intensity of visits, and lack of confidence or skills despite prior training. The nature and quality of the CN's prior relationship with the bereaved family was an important determinant of the visits' success. Results highlight the value of bereavement support visits, while identifying professional development needs. Managing emotionally intense episodes should receive priority in preparing CN's for this challenging role.
KW - bereavement
KW - community health nursing
KW - palliative treatment
UR - http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/517083
U2 - 10.1111/j.1440-172X.2012.02046.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1440-172X.2012.02046.x
M3 - Article
SN - 1322-7114
VL - 18
SP - 332
EP - 339
JO - International Journal of Nursing Practice
JF - International Journal of Nursing Practice
IS - 4
ER -