Patients', relatives' and nurses' experiences of palliative care on an advanced care ward in a nursing home setting in Norway

Patient or Public Contribution Patients, relatives and nurses were involved in this study.Aim The aim was to explore patients', relatives' and nurses' experiences of palliative care on an advanced care ward in a nursing home setting after implementation of the Coordination Reform in Norway.Design Secondary analysis of qualitative interviews.Methods Data from interviews with 19 participants in a nursing home setting: severely ill older patients in palliative care, relatives and nurses. Data triangulation influenced by Miles and Huberman was used.Results The overall theme was Being in an unfamiliar and uncaring culture leaves end-of-life patients in desperate need of holistic, person-centred and co-creative care . The main themes were: Desire for engaging palliative care in a hopeless and lonely situation , Patients seeking understanding of end-of-life care in an unfamiliar setting and Absence of sufficient palliative care and competence creates insecurity . The patients and relatives included in this study experienced an uncaring culture, limited resources and a lack of palliative care competence, which is in direct contrast to that which is delineated in directives, guidelines and recommendations. Our findings reveal the need for policymakers to be more aware of the challenges that may arise when healthcare reforms are implemented. Future research on palliative care should include patients', relatives' and nurses' perspectives.

Automated summary

This study explored the experiences of patients, relatives, and nurses in palliative care in a nursing home setting after the implementation of healthcare reforms in Norway. The findings revealed a desperate need for holistic and person-centered care in an unfamiliar and uncaring culture. The participants sought understanding of end-of-life care, but encountered limited resources and a lack of palliative care competence, highlighting the challenges faced during healthcare reforms. Future research should consider the perspectives of patients, relatives, and nurses in palliative care.