Does respite care address the needs of palliative care service users and carers? Their perspectives and experiences.

AIM: To establish whether respite care addresses the needs of palliative care service users and carers.

BACKGROUND: Respite care is often described in UK policy and guidance as a key need to providing support for this group and yet little is known about it and there is a lack of research to support its efficacy.

DESIGN: The approach was qualitative and the methodology was interpretive. The method used was constructivist grounded theory.

METHODS: Data collection was carried out by unstructured informal interview with three couples and two bereaved carers who had experienced hospice respite care.

RESULTS: Findings showed that respite care is valued by palliative care service users and carers although there are some fundamental tensions in service models which limit its potential.

CONCLUSION: A reframing of respite care as an empathic response within a new palliative care approach is proposed. Within this, the centrality of the relationship is reinforced.