Table 1 Key Features of the Murphy's Family Meeting Model
Aspect of Model | Main Features |
|---|---|
5 Part Paradigm: | Â |
1. Story of the Journey | - The patient speaks about their journey of illness including things that are and have been important to them and have helped them to make sense of it. |
| Â | - May also include the story of other important experiences and struggles of their life. |
2. Worries and Fears | - The storyteller is encouraged to speak of their worries, fears and concerns about the illness and its outcomes. |
3. Speaking of Roots | - Speaking of family history, recent and not so recent. |
| Â | - Allowing the pains and the joys to be openly expressed. |
4. The Family Speaks | - Each person present has the opportunity to tell the story of their journey in relation to their loved one's illness |
| Â | - They speak of their history together as they have experienced it and have the opportunity to respond to what others have said. |
5. The Closing or Blessing | - Bringing the meeting to a close in a manner appropriate for the family (may or may not include ritual with religious connotations). |
| Â | - It may be an opportunity for each person to say one thing that they value most about the person who is dying. |
The 3 Main Roles: | Â |
1. The Storyteller | - The one who speaks - everyone takes a turn (1 at a time) |
2. Witness(es) | - The ones who listen preferably without judgement or interpretation - everyone else who is present |
3. The Facilitator or Guide | - Supports, guides and moves the meeting along with the use of probe questions if necessary e.g. "Would you like to say more about that?" or "How did you feel about that?" |