Participation in inpatient care from the perspective of family members of palliative care patients

Background: The participation of family members in inpatient palliative care has been shown to be meaningful; it contributes to the wellbeing of the patient. Even so, little is known about the perspectives of family members regarding their participation in this type of care. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe participation in inpatient care from the perspective of family members of palliative care patients. Method: This study involved semi-structured individual interviews with family members (n=19) of patients receiving inpatient palliative care, as well as inductive thematic analysis. Findings: Four main themes describing the family members perspectives of their participation in inpatient palliative care were identified: family members attending to everyday activities, importance of participation to family members, family members providing emotional support to patients and the role of family members in discussions and decision-making processes concerning patient care. Conclusion: Family members participate in inpatient palliative care in different ways. Participation was experienced as important to patients and family members, and some family members felt that participation may have supported their coping process.