| Summary: | Background: There are approximately 45 000 people in the ages over 65 years dies outside the health facilities of the hospitals in Sweden in every year. Previous research has shown lacking knowledge in taking care of the next of kin during and after a sudden death. However, conducted research has emphasized that ambulance nurses often are the next of kin’s first contact with the health care system during sudden death at home. Research has also shown that the mourning of the next of kin is affected by the ambulance nurses’ way of announcing the next of kin when someone close dies. This is also affecting the ambulance nurses’ possibilities of moving on after the event. Aim: To describe ambulance nurse’s experiences of factors that affects the care of next of kin during sudden death at home. Method: A qualitative study using one focus group with convenience sample including seven participants. Inclusion criteria were that participants should be professional nurses with specialist training in prehospital care. All study participants should also have experience in the care of next of kin during sudden death at home. A manifest content analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: A total of five categories emerged; perceived demands and expectations, having experience and knowledge, to face mourning reactions of the next of kin, to be affected emotionally and finally the support from colleagues. Data indicated that the mourning of the next of kin is complex. However, data revealed that the ambulance nurse is affected by experience, knowledge and the support from colleagues. In the beginning of the career, the ambulance nurse experiences some uncertainty concerning the expectations of the next of kin. The emotional affection was dependent on personal experiences in the past and also on the specific circumstances with the next of kin and the deceased. Conclusion: This study revealed that the care of the next of kin during sudden death at home is highly affected by the experience and knowledge of the ambulance nurse. The emotional affection is dependent on past personal experiences and on the support from colleagues. The participants agreed on the importance of a respectful manner in the care of the patient and the next of kin.
|
|---|
