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Table 2 Matrix of categories, with examples of coded statements

From: Bridging gaps in everyday life – a free-listing approach to explore the variety of activities performed by physiotherapists in specialized palliative care

 

Patients

Families

HCS

Counteracting a declining physical function

Exercise with patient for retained walking ability and ability to get up.

Conversation with patient and family about what daily life is like and what could make things easier for them.

Educate HCS regarding placement of assistive devices and the importance of allowing the patient to participate.

Informing, guiding and educating

Give tips about posture and resting positions when sitting/lying.

The patient’s family members also participate and discuss safety/security during mobilization.

Educate staff at the residence about ALS, along with nurse and dietitian, followed by a question and answer session regarding the patient’s symptoms.

Observing, assessing and evaluating

Observe how the patient manages transfers, patterns of movement and balance when she comes into the room where I am waiting.

Family members visit and we discuss how things are going in the home.

Together with ward staff, see how things are going with transfers for newly admitted patient.

Attending to signs and symptoms

Introduce breathing exercises – using the PEP valve for more efficient breathing when the patient uses shallow and high costal breathing.

Show daughter lymphatic drainage to relieve pain.

Listening, talking with and understanding

Speak about the pressure the patient previously felt from relatives about exercise.

Meet a family member of a patient who is sad. We hug and she says that her mother is dead. Provide comfort and support.

One of our patients has died and we talk about this.

Caring for basic needs

The patient falls asleep during treatment and wants to remain in bed afterwards, I help her get comfortably straightened out and leave the window slightly open before I go.

Help relative with kitchen chores because he is having difficulty with transfers.

Organizing, planning and coordinating

Home visit together with patient for the purpose of increasing quality of life and preparing for returning home and discharge to ASIH.

Phone call with family makes me schedule a home visit together with the assistive technology consultant.

Contact nurse regarding family’s questions about samples and blood transfusion.

  1. ALS amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ASIH Avancerad sjukvård i hemmet (Advanced health care at home), HCS health care staff, PEP positive expiratory pressure