1. Stress in Hospice at Home Nurses: A Qualitative Study of their Experiences of their Work and Wellbeing Karen Tunnah, Angela Jones & Ros Johnstone
This Qualitative study originated as a research proposal Which I completed last year as part of my nursing degree.
The study was well received in the department and I was encouraged to carry it out following approval by the ethics committee .
Study was undertaken earlier this year
A literature search identified studies undertaken in hospices but few concentrated on hospice at home nurses

2. The role of Hospice at Home Nurses
10 community hospice at home nurse
Cover large rural area of Gwynedd and Anglesey
Objectives of service is to offer a combination of psychological and practical support ,nursing care and advise
which is complimentary to existing service comprised of district nursing and GP’s
Symptom management and advise
Informal education to PHCT and families
Facilitate rapid discharge home when a patient expresses a desire to die At home
Bereavement support
Provide advice and psychological support to patient & families

3. Qualitative study Semi structured taped interviews.
Interviews typed verbatim and anonymised.
3 researchers had copies of transcripts to identify themes.
10 nurses were invited to take part 7 accepted I on maternity leave 1 declined I was excluded as on research team
Research Team discussed conclusions together using a grounded theory approach
Themes were identified without loss of data

4. 3 categories emerged:
There were negative and positive aspects to the categories which include :

5. Lack of support
Being undervalued by colleagues outside of the team
Long travelling time
Conflict with colleagues outside of the team,
Poor communication with colleagues outside of the team,
Isolation of lone working

6. Relaxation time which included listening to music /watching T. V
Relaxation time which included listening to music /watching T.V./Hobbies and exercise
Ability to switch off
Good communication
Support from team and colleagues
Support from family and trusted others/friends
The value of the weekly M.D.T. team

7. Recommendations: Clinical Supervision (uptake poor) Education sessions
Attendance at M.D.T.
Stress awareness training
Primary care training in awareness of the role of the hospice nurse
The study was presented as a poster at the palliative care congress in Gateshead in March this year
The study has been published in the last edition of the International Journal of Palliative Care

8. Palliative Care Congress in Gateshead March 2012 BMJ Palliative and Supportive Care 2012 Vol 2 supp 1 pA26 Tunnah K., Jones A., Johnstone R.(2012) Stress in Hospice at Home Nurses : a Qualitative Study of their Experiences of their Work and Wellbeing. International Journal of Palliative Nursing Vol 18 No
Thank

9. Thank you for Listening
Any Questions ???