Nurse assistants' experiences of encountering patients in grief due to the death of a loved one - a qualitative study in municipal health and social care.

Purpose: The aim was to explore nurse assistants´ experiences of paying attention to and encountering patients receiving municipal health and social care, who are in grief due to the death of a loved one.

Methods: A qualitative study with focus group interviews ( = 6) was conducted with nurse assistants (NAs) ( = 28) in municipal health and social care ( = 5) in southern Sweden. The data were analysed inductively using qualitative content analysis.

Results: Three categories (1) , (2) , (3) , included eight sub-categories were identified. The result is captured in the theme of

Conclusions: The NAs encountered expressions of strong emotions from patients in grief, and even expressions of a desire to end their lives. Additionally, the NAs had to deal with their own emotions that were evoked when meeting patients in grief. These challenges indicate the need for enhanced conditions in the work culture, and improved training and supervision in health and social care.