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Influences and supportive interventions experienced during palliative caregiving that impact family caregivers' bereavement : a scoping review

Robinson, Carole A.

The purpose of this scoping review was to examine the influences and supportive interventions in the caregiving experience that impact family caregivers’ (FCG) grief and loss journey in bereavement. Searches were conducted in CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO using four sets of search terms: 1) “grie*” or “bereav*”; 2) “palliative or terminal or end of life or life limiting”; 3) “caregiv*”; and 4) “support*”. Research studies published in English between 2010 and 2015, which provided evidence regarding influences during caregiving that impact the FCG’s experiences of grief and loss in bereavement were identified. A total of 21 articles were selected for inclusion. Studies were grouped into five major categories of influence: caregiver, caregiving circumstances, relational and health system. Evidence indicated the FCGs who find caregiving stressful and experience common mental health problems are at significant risk of experiencing difficulties in bereavement. Several factors may contribute to a stressful caregiving experience and subsequent FCG distress. These are: an increased experience of burden; coping strategies; barriers to the FCG’s ability to effectively provide care; and negative experiences with the death of the ill person. Implications for nursing practice include the importance of assessment for common mental health problems, burden from the perspective of the FCG, expectations of care and the importance of timely information and a thorough exploration of the FCGs’ desires/expectations around death. The results from this scoping review support a need for research focused on the development, implementation, and testing of supportive interventions offered during caregiving that have a positive impact on bereavement.

Graduating Project

eng

2016-02-11

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 Canada

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/56980

Unreviewed

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/ca/