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Family Carers’ Experiences of Goals of Care Conversations in Acute Hospital Settings

  • Kitty Vivekananda (Contributor)
  • Jayamini S. Jayawardene (Contributor)
  • Moira O’Connor (Contributor)
  • Kaaren J. Watts (Contributor)
  • Anton D. Leonard (Contributor)
  • Sharon Keesing (Contributor)
  • Georgia Halkett (Contributor)
  • Josephine Shaw (Contributor)
  • Valerie Colgan (Contributor)
  • Kevin J. Yuen (Contributor)
  • Renate Jolly (Contributor)
  • Simon C. Towler (Contributor)
  • Anupam Chauhan (Contributor)
  • Margherita Nicoletti (Contributor)
  • Claire E. Johnson (Monash University, University of Wollongong, The University of Western Australia) (Contributor)

Dataset

Description

End-of-life Goals of Care (GoC) discussions aim to support care that is consistent with patients’ preferences and values. This study uses an exploratory qualitative design drawing upon a social constructivist epistemology to examine family carers’ perspectives on GoC within acute Australian hospital settings. Twenty-five family carers of aging inpatients were recruited from six Australian hospitals to participate in recorded, semi-structured interviews. Data were transcribed and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Three main themes were developed. Theme 1 explored carers’ experiences of GoC discussions—identifying varying levels of preparedness and carers' hopes for open, two-way discussions initiated by empathic Health Care Professionals (HCPs). Theme 2 examined carers’ unmet needs for time, space, consistency, and support to make careful decisions. Theme 3 identified carers advocating for patients' needs when they could not do it themselves. Preparing carers and normalizing GoC discussions relating to end-of-life care maximizes benefits for patients, carers, and HCPs involved.
Date made available2023
PublisherSAGE Publications Ltd

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