Exploring family members' experiences during a death process in the emergency department: A grounded theory study.

ABSTRACT

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To identify which are the needs arised from feelings, perceptions and experiences of the family members during any time within the death process in an emergency service of an acute care hospital, with regard to the assistance received. BACKGROUND: The publications refer to the needs expressed by bereaved families, who explain the support they received right after the death of a relative in an emergency service, and during the months after the tragedy. DESIGN: Qualitative study drawing on grounded theory based on Charmaz (2006). METHODS: Ten interviews were conducted to a member of each family, who had been in an emergency service with a relative during any of the stages of the dying process. Data were collected from September 2015-June 2016. The analysis was made while data were being collected. Three types of codification were carried out open, axial and selective. Theoretical saturation was achieved after data collection and analysis. RESULTS: Three thematic categories emerged the power of information/communication (a), decisions taken by professionals within the dimension of caring (b) and the humanisation of death in emergency services (c). CONCLUSIONS: The quality of the information given to families in the process of death in an emergency service affects to their satisfaction. Family support must be essential in a situation of death. Institutions must guarantee standards of practice, which include orientation on the care of people in bereavement, and the commitment to provide specialised attention those families. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Research findings reveal the need to create changes within clinical practice, regarding how to take care of the family involved in a death process in an emergency service. From the needs detected by the participants, it could be possible to implement an interventional programme, which offers the relatives the emotional support they may need.