Feeling responsible but unsupported: How relatives of out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest survivors experience the transition from hospital to daily life – A focus group study

Aim: To generate knowledge about how relatives of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors experience the transition between hospital and daily life. The research question was “how do relatives of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors experience collaboration and communication with healthcare professionals, and what is emphasized as important in the transition from hospital to daily life”. Design: Qualitative design. Methods: Six semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with 23 relatives of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors who participated in a residential rehabilitation course. Data was collected between November 2018 and March 2019. Transcripts were analysed using a phenomenological hermeneutic approach. Results: The analysis generated three themes “a necessary presence,” “communication with healthcare professionals on the cardiac ward” and “the abrupt disappearance of the system.” Relatives of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors feel a great responsibility when coping and adjusting to their new life. In the transition to daily life, a focus on systematic involvement and collaboration with relatives should be an essential part of the post-cardiac arrest pathway.