[Experiences of relatives, who witnessed resuscitation or invasive procedures in life-threatening situations at the bedside of the next of kin or attending in a waiting room].

Worldwide the majority of relatives endorsed family witnessed resuscitation and witnessed invasive procedures (FWR) and considered this practice as helpful. However, professionals are primarily against this practice. How relatives in Swiss hospitals experience these difficult situations is unknown. The aim of this qualitative study is to describe and understand the experiences of relatives who witnessed resuscitation in a Swiss hospital at the bedside of her next of kin or attending in a waiting room. Interviews were conducted with ten relatives between September 2011 and June 2012 and analyzed with the method of interpretive phenomenology. Four themes derived from the data: "be present", "want to be informed", "have confidence" and "looking for support". Attending relatives gave to protocol that FWR allowed them to assist their next of kin. Relatives, who were waiting outside, felt uncertainty and fear. Relatives wanted FWR and other relatives didn't want FWR. Relatives experienced a rapid flow of clear information, but also vague, insufficient or delayed messages. They spoke of great faith, as well as of ambivalence and mistrust in medical and nursing skills of professionals. Relatives reported to cope with the difficult situation: by providing support within the family, pray with the family and professional support. It is therefore recommended to offer relatives FWR and to develop guidelines that direct the support of relatives.