Hemtjänstpersonalens upplevelser av att vårda patienter i livet slutskede
The aim of this study was to describe home care personnel and their experiences in palliative care. The design was qualitative and data were collected through interviews. Five home care personnel were interviewed, all women, whom have experience of palliative home care.The material was then analysed with qualitative content analysis and eight main categories, derived from experiences of home care personnel, were identified: relationship, safety, quality of care, a better end-of-life, routine, information, knowledge and competence, and work environment. The result showed that all participants of this study identified themselves as family members of the patients whom they had cared for during a long period of time. Additionally, the participants were emotionally touched when the patient died.The majority experienced that the patients do receive good care in their homes. The participants also think that the information from the responsible nurse was insufficient, which resulted in difficulties for the personnel giving the patients good care. The insufficient information was within several lines of profession. All participants of the study think they have a good knowledge of and competence in palliative care and that their knowledge increased with their working experience. However, the participants think that the education they receive about palliative care does not coincide with reality. More knowledge about palliative care was demanded by people with another religion. The conclusion from this study is that the communication between home care personnel and nurses should be improved and that home care personnel need more specific education in the area of palliative care.