Fear of death and putting ‘life on hold’ when one’s spouse is hospitalised in a non-local tertiary centr

Abstract

Background: There are unique issues for families when patients are hospitalised in non‑local tertiary settings. These challenges include facing the possibility of a loved one’s death, especially in an environment devoid of familiarity and social support. This paper presents findings that emerged from a hermeneutic study that explored the experiences of supporting spouses whose partner was transferred to a non‑local tertiary hospital. During this time research participants faced the fear of death, and put their ‘life on hold’ amid social isolation from family and friends.

Objective: The objective of the PhD study was to explore the experiences of those whose partner was hospitalised in a non‑local tertiary setting.

Design: Unstructured interviews were conducted with individuals. Hermeneutic phenomenological frameworks were used to analyse the transcribed interviews. Interpretations that emerged from these experiences enlighten understanding of similar situations. Initially, the prime researcher (CM) interviewed the research participants twice. However after interviewing the first four participants it became apparent that the participants told their entire story during the first interview and had no further information to offer. Subsequently, participants were interviewed once with an invitation to contact the prime researcher should there be other memories they wished to share.

Participants: Spouses (n=14) of people who had been admitted to a non‑local tertiary hospital took part in this research. Overall 10 women and four men took part in this research. Participants were recruited by word of mouth (snow‑balling).

Results: During times of non‑local hospitalisation supporting spouses faced the fear of their partner’s death, therefore putting their own ‘life on hold’. Uncertainty was compounded if the supporting spouse was surrounded by other patients who were dying and the supporting spouses began to anticipate and prepare for their own partner’s death. These fears were exacerbated during times when the supporting spouse had to make life and death decisions devoid of the direct physical support that would be available from family and friends had the partner been hospitalised in a local setting.

Conclusions: Spouses of patients affected by hospitalisation in a non‑local setting often feared that their sick spouse may die during the time of non‑local hospitalisation. This fear resulted in them putting their ‘life on hold’. Health professionals can use strategies to minimise the effect of this fear on couples. These can include focussing on the patient as an individual, listening to couples and understanding and addressing their concerns.