Experiences of families in which a child has a prolonged terminal illness: modifying factors.

A significant proportion of children requiring palliative care have neurodegenerative life-threatening illnesses (NLTIs). While most of their care is provided at home by their families over many years, there is a paucity of research examining families' experiences when a child with an NLTI is dying at home. In this grounded theory study, data were collected from eight families through observations and audiotaped interviews. Families moved through a process of 'navigating uncharted territory' as they lived with their dying child. The strategies that families used to manage this phenomenon were influenced by four intervening conditions that reflected the broader structural context of the phenomenon; relationships with healthcare providers, availability of information, gender differences, and communication between parents. Each condition facilitated or constrained the strategies that families were able to use. Implications for research, education and practice are discussed.