Table 5.

Factors that determine learning

Categories	Thematic core	Comments
1. Enablers Factors	1.1 Will	1.1.1 ‘So, in the end, I think it still depends on what we were saying before, on the strength and will of the carer.’ (Liaison Nurse 1, segments 14–14). 1.1.2 ‘And some people are more willing than others to learn absolutely everything and help you in every way you ask them with their patient.’ (Liaison Nurse 2, segments 13–13).
	1.2 Physical Condition and Age	1.2.1 “One thing is that they don’t have any understanding of the job but they are very keen and in good shape physically, and in this case you can work well with them.’ (Liaison Nurse 3, segments 20–20).
	1.3 Family Support	1.3.1 ‘When there is less of a link, for example, when you have been caring for the patient on and off, like the daughter in law, or I don’t get on well with him, or I will go, what we say in these situations is that they usually just get on with their lives.’ (Liaison Nurse 2, segments 48–48).
2. Limiting Factors	2.1 Old Age	2.1.1 ‘Age, not in the sense of being old in years, but because old age means the skills needed to provide care are diminishing. Some of them just can’t do it any more. They haven’t got the energy. It’s impossible because some carers are 70 and over, and I sometimes don’t know who is in worse health, the carer or the one being cared for!’ (Liaison Nurse 3, segments 21–21). 2.1.2 ‘One woman, she really wants to help but she just can’t. She can’t change her patient’s position. She just can’t do it. She has a bad leg and uses a walking stick. Although she wants to help, it’s her age that goes against her, as in so many cases.’ (Liaison Nurse 3, segments 22–22).
	2.2 Family History	‘I’ve never got on well with him and now I have to look after him, but I’m going to do the minimum. I’ll do the basics, wash him, dress him and prepare his food but don’t ask any more of me.’ (Liaison Nurse 2, segments 11–11).