Connectedness at the end of life among people admitted to inpatient palliative care
2014 (English)In: The American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, ISSN 1049-9091, Vol. 33, no 1, p. 47-54Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
The significance of connectedness for well-being is well known. At the end of life however, illness and body decline may challenge a person’s ability of staying and feeling connected. The aim of this phenomenological study was to interpret meanings of connectedness, through narrative interviews with persons admitted to inpatient palliative care in Sweden. Results involving connectedness through the body, connectedness to, and uncanniness toward other patients, and connectedness to significant others and society are discussed. The study underscores the importance of connectedness until death. However, in inpatient palliative care this is complex. Patients can cocreate or challenge each other’s sense of connectedness through the symbolism of illness and diseased bodies. Moreover, the capability of connectedness is influenced by illness, spatiality, atmosphere, activities, and resources in the care place.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2014. Vol. 33, no 1, p. 47-54
Keywords [en]
Body decline, Connectedness, Dying, Palliative care, Phenomenology, Virtual reality, Well-being
National Category
Nursing
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:esh:diva-4146DOI: 10.1177/1049909114554077PubMedID: 25305250OAI: oai:DiVA.org:esh-4146DiVA, id: diva2:757712
Note
Funding: Erling Persson Foundation, Sven and Dagmar Sahlén Foundation, OE and Edla Johansson Scientific Foundation, Olle Engkvist Foundation
2014-10-232014-10-232021-04-06Bibliographically approved