Marianne Fjose Studies Family Relationships of Elderly Patients with Cancer in the Palliative Phase

Marianne Fjose, is an assistant professor in the Faculty of Health Studies, Sogn og Fjordane University College, Norway. As part of her PhD research, she is conducting a mixed methods study to examine how elderly patients with cancer in the palliative phase and their nearest relatives experience their relationship while under In Home Hospice Care. The project is funded by Sogn og Fjordane University College, Faculty of Health studies, and will be completed by March 2017. Qualitative data will be collected using family group interviews and quantitative data from two standardized measures: the Caregiver Reaction Assessment and the Social Provisions Scale. Three articles are in process and will report findings about: 1) relationships, interactions, and challenges in family life; 2) different family caregivers’ perspectives (e.g., spouses, daughters, sons/children-in-law) on caregiver burden and social support; and 3) patients’ and family members’ experiences with the health care services. Supervisors are: Professor Ellen Karine Grov (Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Institute of Nursing, Oslo, Norway); Professor Marit Kirkevold (University of Oslo, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Nursing Science, Oslo, Norway); and Professor Grethe Eilertsen, (Buskerud and Vestfold University College, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo, Norway). For more information contact IFNA member, Marianne Fjose.