Verbal communication of families with cancer patients at end of life: A questionnaire survey with bereaved family members.

Objective: To clarify the verbal communication of feelings between families and patients in Japanese palliative care units from the perspective of bereaved family members by examining (1) proportions of families' and patients' verbalization of six feelings (gratitude, love, seeking forgiveness, giving forgiveness, wishes after death, and continuing bonds), (2) recognition of receiving these feelings through verbalization from the family's perspective, and (3) the specific attitudes of family members that influence their verbalizations.

Methods: In 2010, a cross-sectional survey was conducted with 968 bereaved families of cancer patients in palliative care units across Japan.

Results: Five hundred thirty-seven responses were analyzed.