Storytelling near the end-of-life: Contingency modes in conversations with relatives of patients receiving palliative care: A qualitative study.

Abstract

This article explores the role of end-of-life conversations between palliative home-care patients and their relatives in shaping the bereavement process. Through interviews with 17 bereaved relatives, four distinct modes of contingency were identified: denial, acknowledgment, accepting, and receiving. While some individuals remained in a single mode, others transitioned through all four, suggesting a deeply personal process independent of external influences. The findings underscore the importance of healthcare providers facilitating these conversations, as they can help relatives process emotions and support their grieving. By addressing these modes, caregivers can aid relatives in becoming compassionate advocates for patients nearing death. The study highlights the need for further research into strategies for supporting relatives in navigating these modes, potentially enhancing bereavement care practices.