The perspectives of bereaved family members on their experiences of support in palliative care.

AIM: To explore family members' supportive interactions in palliative care and the emotional experiences that they associate with these interactions.

METHODS: Qualitative individual interviews were performed with bereaved family members recruited from an urban palliative care service in Sweden. The interviews were analysed using inductive qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS: Five categories of supportive interactions with staff members were linked with emotional consequences: informational support, supportive encounters, professional focus of staff, a supportive environment, and bereavement support. Having a dialogue with family members nurtured certainty and security, supportive encounters gave a warm and comforting feeling, and bereavement support contributed to feelings of strength. Environmental factors contributed to dignity.

CONCLUSION: Supportive interactions with staff and within a home-like environment help to build resilience if tailored to the family member's own needs.