Last offices: nurses' experiences of the process and their views about involving significant others.

PSYCHOLOGICAL adaptation; HOSPICE care; INTERVIEWING; LEARNING; RESEARCH methodology; NURSES' attitudes; NURSING specialties; RESPECT; STATISTICAL sampling; FUNERAL industry; HOSPICE nurses; QUALITATIVE research; SIGNIFICANT others; THEMATIC analysis; WORK experience (Employment)

Background: Last offices are the procedures carried out shortly after a person dies. The National End of Life Care Programme UK guidelines recognise the potential impact of last offices on nurses and advocate the involvement of significant others, but offer no guidance on how to facilitate this. Aim: To explore nurses' experiences of carrying out last offices, in hospice inpatient and community settings, and their views on involving the person's significant others in the process. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 10 nurses/health-care assistants (held in June to August 2012). Interviews were analysed using interpretative, thematic analysis. Results: Four main themes emerged from the data. Last offices were described as: a range of care activities, a learning and coping challenge, a time of transition, and a demonstration of respect and support. Conclusion: Last offices are a range of care activities, shaped by the environment, time and help available. Further research into the potential benefits and harms of involving significant others is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]