Meeting needs of family members of persons with life-threatening illness: a support group program during ongoing palliative care.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to describe family members' experiences of content, structure, and approach of a potential intervention including a support group program for family members of persons with life-threatening illness.

METHOD

The study was a pilot project in a developmental phase in which a potential intervention, a support group program, was investigated. The design of the study was qualitative descriptive. Twenty-nine family members were interviewed by telephone after taking part in the program. The interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

The results indicate that the support group program could work as an acceptable and useful intervention for family members. The program was experienced to cover topics of immediate interest reflecting life close to severely ill persons. The structure of the program was found to be inviting, offering an opportunity to establish relationships with other participants and the caring team in a warm atmosphere.

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS

The study indicates the importance of health professionals inviting and interacting with family members during ongoing palliative care. The results could inspire nursing staff to initiate, develop, and deliver similar interventions.