Döden är livsviktig : fem kuratorers bemötande av obotligt sjuka och deras bild av de sjukas upplevelser

Sammanfattning: The aim of this undergraduate thesis was to explore how the welfare officers at palliative units in Stockholm respond to the patients’ thoughts and experiences during the last phase of life, as well as exploring their picture of the patients experiences. The research questions of the study were: ▪ How do the welfare officers relate to the patients’ experience of their death? ▪ In what way do the welfare officers respond to the dying patient and his or her experiences? ▪ What knowledge/experience do the welfare officers have and what knowledge/experience do they consider is needed in their profession? To answer the research questions a qualitative method was used where five welfare officers in three different palliative units were interviewed. The empirical material was analysed through meaning concentration and are presented using exact quotations. It was discovered that the patients experiences cannot be generalized. However, common feelings are those of anxiety, fear and hope, which the welfare officers deal with through methods of counselling, i.e. they listen, ask questions and accommodate. The study revealed that the welfare officers viewed life experience, in different areas, as the most important aspect in order to cope with their work. The result of the study was analysed hermeneutically and phenomenologically. The theoretical framework used in the analysis was experience psychology and counselling as a method.