The intimacy needs of patients and their partners towards end of life.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding the intimacy needs of patients receiving palliative or end of life care, and of their families.
IRAS ID
325231
Contact name
Kate Sugar
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Dorothy House Hospice
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 29 days
Research summary
The study will explore the intimacy needs of patients at end of life, and of their partners. Qualitative interviews will be conducted with patients of Dorothy House Hospice Care, with partners of patients, and with bereaved partners. Hospice staff and contracted volunteers will also be invited to participate in interviews to explore their experiences of conversations with patients and partners on the topic of intimacy, and to identify their perceived training needs. Findings will support training initiatives to improve staff confidence and competence in having open conversations with patients and their partners about intimacy. The overall aim of this work is to identify how the support that Dorothy House Hospice Care provides in relation to intimacy can be enhanced.
Lay summary of study results: Intimacy, including emotional, physical, and relational closeness, is an important part of quality of life. However, it is often overlooked for people living with a life-limiting illness during palliative and end of life care in hospices.
This study explored how intimacy is affected during palliative and end-of-life care and how hospice staff can better support patients and those close to them. Between 2023 and 2025, we carried out interviews at six hospices in England with 16 patients, partners, loved ones and bereaved partners, and 24 healthcare professionals.
Patients and partners described intimacy as personal, individual and changeable. Illness, symptoms, medical equipment, changes in body image, and shifts in relationship roles could all affect closeness. Small acts of connection and moments of normality were often especially meaningful. Many participants said they would welcome healthcare professionals gently raising the topic, rather than leaving it to them to start the conversation.
Healthcare professionals described different ways they initiate intimacy conversations in practice. These included using natural opportunities during care, asking direct questions when concerns arose, and normalising the topic through reassurance and education.
Overall, the findings show that intimacy remains an important but often unspoken aspect of hospice care. Proactive, sensitive conversations may help patients and those close to them maintain closeness and support more holistic, person-centred care.REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/WM/0093
Date of REC Opinion
22 May 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion