Affiliations: Sisters of St. Martha of Prince Edward Island, Mount
St. Mary's, Charlottetown, PE, Canada | Department of Family & Nutritional Sciences,
University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada | School of Nursing, University of Prince Edward Island,
Charlottetown, PE, Canada
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Lori E. Weeks, Department of Family
& Nutritional Sciences, University of Prince Edward Island, 550
University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada. Tel.: +1 902 566 0528;
Fax: +1 902 628 4367; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Objective: Family support in end-of-life decision-making is
critical, yet this issue receives little attention. The purpose of this
research is to provide insight into how the clinical ethicist can effectively
support family caregivers when making end-of-life healthcare decisions. It
further suggests how the clinical ethicist can provide support to other
healthcare professionals who work with family caregivers in making end-of-life
healthcare decisions. Participants and methods: Using a grounded theory
approach, a theoretical sampling of 20 family caregivers previously involved in
end-of-life decision-making were interviewed. Semi-structured in-depth
interviews were audiotaped, and transcribed. Results: Interviews were
analyzed using a constant comparative approach. The analysis resulted in the
identification of three categories related to the experience of
decision-making: the impact of healthcare decision-making on individual and
family well-being, the effectiveness of healthcare professionals in supporting
families, and the role of the ethicist. Conclusions: The results
demonstrated the challenges that family members encounter when faced with
end-of-life decision-making. The participants identified the importance of
having access to a clinical ethicist who, with objectivity and specific
training, can better meet the needs of family caregivers and improve the
process of decision-making at the end-of-life.
