Caring for a family member with a life-limiting illness: Examining the interactions between patients, family carers and health care professionals across the illness trajectory.

Dunn, Laurie (2014) Caring for a family member with a life-limiting illness: Examining the interactions between patients, family carers and health care professionals across the illness trajectory. PhD thesis, University of Liverpool.

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Abstract

Introduction: This phenomenological study explores the interactions between patients, carers, and health and social care professionals from the perspective of bereaved family carers. The research presents models of care which attend to the current picture of care. These models are presented alongside experiential data from family caregivers. Methods: Fifty-one retrospective narrative interviews were conducted with bereaved family caregivers of people with a life-limiting illness. Interviews were predominantly conducted face to face, in the North West of England. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed from using thematic structural analysis. NVivo version 9 was used to manage the data. Findings: The roles and interactions between patients, family carers and health and social work professionals differed significantly across place of care and across the illness trajectory. The findings examine the following areas of family caregivers’ experiences: roles and relationships; uncertainty and reassurance; communication; and kindness and compassion in care. Conclusions: Existing models of dyadic and triadic care fail to adequately address the complex dynamics of family caregiving. The models presented in this study demonstrate the direction of support and level of responsibility of care in home, hospice and hospital care environments. A partnership approach, where family caregivers feel supported and reassured by health and social care professionals is essential to improving carers’ confidence in their role and satisfaction with the support they receive. Key words: qualitative, life-limiting illness, end of life care, caregivers, interactions, triadic care.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Additional Information:	Date: 2014-08 (completed)
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	26 Feb 2015 14:37
Last Modified:	17 Dec 2022 02:13
DOI:	10.17638/02002441
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/2002441