The Family Meeting in Palliative Care

Spiritual care is an important aspect of palliative. Spiritual needs of palliative patients have been identified and evidence supports the concept of working with family groups in the provision of holistic palliative care. The needs and attitudes of staff in the provision of this care have also been found to be important. Murphy's family meeting model offers opportunity for meeting identified spiritual needs as well considering the needs of staff. This book outlines a study informed by hermeneutic phenomenology and utilising Ricoeur's theory of Interpretation, in which Murphy's model was implemented and the experience of patients, family members and staff explored. The most commonly identified outcomes for patient and family member participants were; an experience of increased openness of communication, positive and constructive feelings and emotions, new understandings were gained and significant relationships were strengthened and renewed. The inclusion of this intervention in regular palliative care service would have implications for staff training and support as well as funding priorities.