Table 4 Categorisation of 252 codings; multiple answers by individual study participants possible

Point in time

• Point in time well chosen

n = 13

• Point in time rather too early, easier if later

n = 5

• Point in time rather too late, easier if earlier

n = 2

Place and atmosphere

• Difficult to come back to PCU

n = 14

• Meeting in private home helpful

n = 5

• Conduction of study by phone easier

n = 1

• Conduction of study by post preferred

n = 1

• Attendance of someone close was helpful

n = 1

• Positive atmosphere during interview

n = 1

• Amount of time too high

n = 1

Preferences and improvements

• All fine

n = 2

• No additional questions needed

n = 9

• Other questions preferable

n = 25

Items

• Content of items not appropriate

n = 10

• Lack of insight into patient’s experience to answer items

n = 17

• Too many items

n = 1

Answering scales

• Answering format not appropriate

n = 5

Other

• Mixed settings in relevant time impede answering

n = 1

• Questionnaires not feasible, applicable

n = 5

Motivation

• To give feedback, contribute to quality management

n = 6

• To help department, thankfulness

n = 13

• To help other patients and informal caregivers

n = 3

Benefit

• Opportunity to talk about experience and reflect

n = 38

• Opportunity to sort and structure memories

n = 8

• Opportunity to come to terms with tragedy

n = 7

• Increased feeling of security

n = 1

• Feeling of ongoing care, respecting caregivers’ opinions

n = 4

• To remember and to awaken memories

n = 4

• Helpful in general

n = 10

Burden

• Memories emotional and burdensome

n = 34

• Not burdensome

n = 3

• Too many evaluations, wish to be left in peace

n = 1

• Physical symptoms occurred

n = 1