Nursing in the home palliative care: the view of a family member of a patient with cancer

Abstract

This study aimed to understand the concepts of family members of patients with cancer, who were inserted and guided by the actions of an extension project aimed at patients with cancer and their families, about the home care given to them, during the treatment phase and progression of the disease. This is an evaluative qualitative research conducted with six family members from June to October, 2013, through semi-structured interviews, analyzed by the method of content analysis. Three categories emerged: the support of nurses in coping with the disease, creating a bond with the patients and their families and nursing as a link to social support networks. It was understood that the health monitoring in the home context gave to the families and patients support and safety to handle concerns that cancer brought into their lives.