Table 1.

Main categories and subcategories of emotional bond

Theme	Main categories	Subcategories
Emotional bond	Being alongside the patient	Presence of the care team
		Presence of family members
		Presence of friends
	Mutual understanding with the patient	Accepting the patient’s condition
		Emotional response through more attention
		Sympathy without pity
		Psychological health management by the palliative care team
	Establishing and maintaining cordiality relationship	Entering a person’s emotional realm
		Friendly communication
		Maintaining supportive relationship