Factors associated with the decision to offer memory making in end-of-life: A survey of healthcare professionals in adult intensive care

Bereaved parents' perceptions of memory making: a qualitative meta-synthesis

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the experiences of parents who have experienced bereavement in their efforts to preserve memories of their deceased child.

METHODS

Employing a qualitative meta-synthesis approach, this study systematically sought relevant qualitative literature by conducting searches across various electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Wiley, up until July 2023.

RESULTS

Nine studies are eligible for inclusion and included in the meta-synthesis. Three overarching categories are identified: (1) Affirming the Significance of Memory Making. (2) Best Practices in Memory Making. (3) Barriers to Effective Memory Making.

CONCLUSION

Bereaved parents highly value the act of creating lasting memories, emphasizing its profound significance. While forming these memories, it is imperative to offer family-centered care and honor diverse preferences and needs. It is essential to offer effective support to parents, offering them a range of choices. Furthermore, a more comprehensive examination of memory-making practices is required to better understand their influence on parents' recollections of their deceased child.

Family's experience of memory making in adult intensive care and its use in early bereavement: A descriptive qualitative study

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

To explore the family's experience being offered memory making during end-of-life care in the adult intensive care unit and its use in early bereavement.

BACKGROUND

Family members of individuals who develop a critical illness requiring emergency hospitalisation are unlikely to be prepared for a possible death. This places them at increased risk of poorer bereavement experiences. One potential intervention is memory making, which is an act that provides tangible objects such as a handprint, footprint, lock of hair, or teddy bear, that allows connections with and provides meaningful memories about a person. Families in the adult acute population reportedly have positive reactions regarding the objects, but it is unknown the object's effects on early bereavement experiences.

DESIGN

Descriptive qualitative study utilising inductive reflexive thematic analysis. Reporting adheres to the COREQ checklist.

METHODS

Between May 2019-December 2020, a purposeful, convenience sample of 21 participants from a tertiary referral, adult intensive care unit in Australia were recruited to explore their experiences being offered memory making during end-of-life care and the objects use in early bereavement. Interviews were conducted using a semi-structured format and occurred at the participants' location of choice.

RESULTS

Data analysis generated three themes: guidance during end of life by healthcare professionals that recognises the autonomy of the family; object used as a trigger to access memories; and storage and preservation of the object as an indication of its sentimental value and use in early bereavement CONCLUSION: Memory making objects such as handprints, locks of hair, or teddy bears received in the adult intensive care unit were valued and utilised during early bereavement by most recipients.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Findings inform practice evidence gaps regarding the family's experiences of memory making received as a bereavement intervention in the adult acute population.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

Participants contributed through sharing their first-hand experiences of receiving memory making in the adult intensive care unit.