Vikten av det sociala och psykosociala stödet till efterlevande - Kuratorers perspektiv på sitt arbete kring att stödja efterlevande i specialiserad palliativ vård

Sammanfattning: The purpose of this study was to investigate how counsellors in specialised palliative care view and relate to social and psychosocial support for bereaved relatives. The study's empirical material was obtained through qualitative semi-structured interviews with nine counsellors within specialised palliative care and was conducted in one of Sweden's southern health care regions. To analyse my results, narrative theory and the theoretical concept of substituted hope was applied along with previous research. The main findings show that counsellors use a narrative approach in their work, that additionally through a substituted hope, becomes a central part of their work, since it supports the bereaved relatives healing ability. The findings show statements how counsellors mediate contact, provide information, or collaborate with other professional actors which becomes important for bereaved relative’s health and finances. However, the study also shows the difficulty to determine the extent of collaboration with other professional actors for bereavement support, but that it is a matter of importance for their individual needs in their process of grief. Furthermore, the study report how counsellors work is based on a holistic perspective with a preventive approach for the bereaved relatives’ health, which in turn, supports the bereaved relative’s adjustments after the patient's death. Lastly the study showed that counsellors work is carried out in a timely manner for the bereaved relative’s needs, which further becomes important to prevent complicated grief and crisis.