Research project – Exploring the Intimacy Needs of People During Palliative and End of Life Care

How healthcare professionals in a hospice setting can support patients and their partners to have conversations about intimacy

This research aims to gain an in-depth understanding of the intimacy needs of patients and their partners at end of life and how healthcare professionals (HCPs) in a hospice setting can best support these needs.

Findings from the study will inform the development of training to improve staff confidence and competence in having conversations with patients and their partners about intimacy.

The long-term aim is for this research to inform training for HCPs in the wider healthcare community to feel more confident in discussing intimacy needs with patients and their partners towards the end of life.

This study is being supported by Anne Tuck, Matron of our Adult Inpatient Service.

Project Lead: Dr Kate Sugar, Hospice Researcher, Dorothy House Hospice

Local Lead: Anne Tuck, Matron, Adult Inpatient Service, St Oswald’s Hospice

Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW) Research Hub Research Capability Funding (RCF).

Sept 2024 – June 2025

The aim of the study is to explore the intimacy needs of people during palliative and end of life care to inform hospice services.

It will achieve this by understanding:

  • The lived experience of patients, partners of patients, and bereaved partners regarding intimacy when receiving palliative and end of life care.
  • The support and care needs of patients, partners of patients, and bereaved partners in relation to intimacy when receiving palliative and end of life care.
  • The barriers to holding conversations about intimacy or providing support for intimacy needs, from the perspective of hospice staff.
  • How to better support staff working in palliative and end of life care, in discussing the intimacy needs of patients, partners of patients and bereaved partners.

Qualitative methods only.