Robertson, Svala BerglindHjörleifsdóttir, ElísabetSigurðardóttir, Þórhalla2025-11-142025-11-142022-09Robertson, S B, Hjörleifsdóttir, E & Sigurðardóttir, Þ 2022, 'Family caregivers' experiences of end-of-life care in the acute hospital setting : A qualitative study', Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1111/scs.130250283-9318451866319c6e0af8-23f3-4902-8598-d3040593562c0006841736000018511238463234382701researchoutputwizard: hdl.handle.net/2336/621949https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/5760Background: Acute hospital settings are generally not considered adequate places for end- of- life care, but terminally ill patients will continue to die in acute medical wards in the unforeseeable future. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate family caregivers’ experiences of end- of- life care in an acute community hospital in Iceland. Methods: Fifteen in- depth qualitative semi- structured interviews were conducted with participants who had been primary caregivers. The transcribed interviews were analysed using thematic content analysis. Findings: Findings indicated that the acute hospital setting is not a suitable environ-ment for end- of- life care. Effective communication and management of symptoms characterised by warmth and security give a sense of resilience. Three main themes emerged: (1) Environmental influences on quality of care; (2) Communication in end- of- life care; (3) The dying process. Each of the themes encompassed a variety of subthemes. Conclusions: Findings suggest that effective communication is the cornerstone of quality of care in the acute hospital environment and essential for establishing a sense of security. The severity of symptoms can deeply affect family caregivers’ well- being. Acknowledging and appreciating the meaning of respect and dignity at the end- of- life from family caregivers’ perspective is vital.1255179eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessacute hospital settingsbereavementcommunicationend-of-life careenvironmentfamily caregiversgriefpalliative careacute hospital settingsbereavementcommunicationend-of-life careenvironmentfamily caregiversgriefpalliative care/dk/atira/pure/researchoutput/researchoutputtypes/contributiontojournal/article10.1111/scs.13025