Table 1.

Summary of Categories by Stakeholder Group

Category	Family Caregivers	Hospice Nurses	National Thought Leaders
Essentials of Skilled Communication	How it supports caregivers: Engages caregivers in the conversation as a valued member of the team Increases level of comfort, feelings of connection with the team, and self confidence Characteristics of: Nurses are personable, professional, and patient Taking the time to conduct individualized needs assessments coupled with careful questioning and listening	How it supports caregivers: Builds confidence in caregivers Characteristics of: Ability to perceive relationship dynamics and special rituals Balancing direct information giving with readiness assessments Appear confident to promote confidence	How it supports caregivers: Empowers patients and caregivers Supports continuity of care which reduces burden to caregivers Characteristics of: Balancing listening with other actions
Building Authentic Relationships	How it supports caregivers: Builds caregiver trust and confidence Helps caregivers feel connected to and engaged with the healthcare team Characteristics of: Willingness to open up and care Balancing professional boundaries while being genuine	How it supports caregivers: Connects patients, families, and nurses Promotion of caregiver self-care Characteristics of: Willingness to be vulnerable and initiate contact Balancing multiple factors: goals, openness, respecting family norms, honesty in end of life outcomes	How it supports caregivers: Caregivers feel acknowledged, encouraged, and supported Characteristics of: Ability to balance demands, assess and understand relationships within the family unit
Value of Expert Teaching	How it supports caregivers: Feeling of being respected, supported, and included in the caregiving process Characteristics of: Ability to explain information clearly and accurately Individualizing delivery of information	How it supports caregivers: Supports connections among family members, the caregiver, and hospice team Good teaching leads to better outcomes Characteristics of: To be skilled at teaching, nurses valued the influence of skilled mentors in helping them shape their practice	How it supports caregivers: Shapes the home hospice interaction Characteristics of: Hospice nurses must have ongoing meaningful learning and mentoring opportunities to integrate expert teaching into their practice
Critical Role of Teamwork	How it supports caregivers: Feeling supported, confident, and included as part of the caregiving team Characteristics of: Effective, consistent, and reliable teams Including the caregiver into the hospice team	How it supports caregivers: Promotes better outcomes Supports family relationships Characteristics of: Nurses connect home hospice services with the larger health care system Consistency in interactions with patient and family	How it supports caregivers: Promotes inter-agency communication and continuity of care Eases transition to hospice Characteristics of: Collaboration amongst team members