Korean J Rehabil Nurs.  2011 Dec;14(2):118-128.

Experience after bereavement in main family members making DNR decisions

• Kim MH
• Kang EH

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of bereavement for main family members who had made and followed DNR decision for their family members. METHOD: This qualitative study was based on a grounded theory, and used in-depth interview techniques with the bereaved 10 main family members who had been treated and died under DNR order.
RESULTS
The causal condition of the family member was 'Releasing', and the main consequent phenomenon were 'Blaming self and ruminating'. The contextual condition was 'The memory of the deceased'. The action/reaction strategy was 'Purifying'. The intervening condition was 'Supporting system', and the consequence was 'Acceptance'. The experience after bereavement of the family member on DNR decision were rational processes that purified themselves and healed the guilt feeling about the decision from reflective assessment and response about DNR decision. Based on this results, the substantive theory 'Reflective self healing' was derived.
CONCLUSION
The main family members in following DNR decision are more likely to have unhealthy emotional condition than others in normal bereavement process. But they overcame the grief of bereavement through reflective self healing process.

Keyword

Resuscitation orders; Family; Bereavement; Qualitative research

MeSH Terms

Bereavement
Grief
Guilt
Humans
Memory
Qualitative Research
Resuscitation Orders