Direct Care Workers (DCW) provide both personal care to patients and emotional support to patients and caregivers in hospice and palliative care. DCWs often develop close ties and are then expected to work with new clients immediately following a care transition, with little or no time to grieve. A qualitative pilot study (n = 24) was conducted to explore the experience of DCWs during care transitions. Data was collected via focus groups and individual interviews. Thematic analysis was used. Results suggest DCWs managed their experiences (n = 19), by anticipating and accepting grief and loss (n = 21), employing personal coping strategies (n = 19), and saying good-bye (n = 15). Relational factors impacted the experience of care transitions (n = 22), including building and maintaining the relationship (n = 14), and the strength of perceived connections (n = 15). Increased organizational support and training to help address grief and loss will better support DCWs and the direct care workforce.

直接护理工作者 (DCW) 既为患者提供个人护理，也为临终关怀和姑息治疗中的患者和护理人员提供情感支持。DCW 通常会建立密切的联系，然后在护理过渡后会立即与新客户合作，几乎没有时间悲伤。进行了一项定性试点研究 (n = 24)，以探索 DCW 在护理过渡期间的体验。数据是通过焦点小组和个人访谈收集的。使用了专题分析。结果表明 DCW 管理他们的经历 (n = 19)，通过预测和接受悲伤和损失 (n = 21)、采用个人应对策略 (n = 19) 和说再见 (n = 15)。关系因素影响了护理过渡的体验 (n = 22)，包括建立和维持关系 (n = 14)，以及感知连接的强度（n = 15）。增加组织支持和培训以帮助解决悲伤和损失，将更好地支持 DCW 和直接护理人员。