Appendix 2
 

Posted as supplied by author

Appendix 1 Consultant Questionnaire

Number of responses=116/147 (79%)
1.	Do you have a written unit policy regarding the presence of relatives during brain stem death tests?
		yes
		no
		don't know
If yes: What are the main points?
The response to this question have been omitted as it is clear from the open response that this question is ambiguous.
2.	Do you ask relatives if they wish to be present during brain stem death testing of the patient?
		yes, routinely	7% (8)
		yes, occasionally	12% (14)
		no, but I might in the future	34% (40)
		no, and I don=t intend to in the future	46% (53)
		no response	1% (1)
3.	Have you been asked by relatives if they could be present during brain stem death testing?
		no, never	69% (80)
		yes, occasionally	29% (34)
		yes, frequently	1% (1)
		no response	1% (1)
4.	Have you allowed relatives to be present during brain stem death testing?
		yes,	6% (7)
		yes, frequently	3% (4)
		yes, occasionally	22% (26)
		no, but I would consider this in future	38% (44)
		no, and I would not consider this in future	27% (31)
		no response	3% (4)
	If yes: In your opinion, how helpful or unhelpful was this for the relatives in general?
		definitely helpful	22% (8)
		mostly helpful	41% (15)
		mostly unhelpful	14% (5)
		definitely unhelpful	0
		don't know	19% (7)
		no response	5% (2)
	Please explain your answer:
5.	In your opinion, what problems could be associated with the presence of relatives during brain stem death testing? (Please feel free to tick more than 1 box)
		dealing with relatives= distress	72% (84)
		relatives may physically interfere with the testing	23% (27)
		relatives may verbally interfere with the testing	30% (35)
		spinal reflexes may occur	84% (97)
		extra nurse required to provide support for the relatives	47% (54)
		potential legal consequences	15% (17)
		dealing with your own discomfort	21% (24)
		none	2% (2)
		other (please specify):
	Please feel free to elaborate on the above points:
6.	In your opinion, what benefits could be associated with the presence of relatives during brain stem death testing? (Please feel free to tick more than 1 box)
		relatives may be more able to accept that the patient has died	53% (61)
		relatives may gain comfort from being present	45% (52)
		none	31% (36)
		other (please specify):
	Please feel free to elaborate on the above points:
7.	Do you think that the presence of relatives would affect your performance of brain stem death tests?
		yes, it would hinder my performance	16% (18)
		yes, it would help my performance	0
		no, it would not affect my performance	81% (94)
		no response	3% (4)
	Please explain your answer:
8.	Would your view about the presence of relatives be influenced if the patient was a child?
		I would be more likely to allow relatives to be present if the patient was a child	23% (27)
		I would be less likely to allow relatives to be present if the patient was a child	4% (5)
		No, it would not make a difference	70% (81)
		no response	3% (3)
	Please explain your answer:
9.	Would your attitude be influenced if appropriate support services for relatives were in place?
		I would definitely be more willing to allow relatives to be present	14% (16)
		I would probably be more willing to allow relatives to be present	16% (19)
		No, it would not make a difference	65% (75)
		no response	5% (6)
	What support do you think relatives should have?
10.	Do you think that the presence of relatives during brain stem death testing should be encouraged or discouraged?
		I think the presence of relatives should be encouraged
		I think the presence of relatives should be discouraged
		No opinion
	The response to this question has been omitted because the open comments indicate that this question is ambiguous.
11.	Please write any comments you would like to make:

Posted as supplied by author

Appendix 2 Senior Nurse Questionnaire

Number of responses=129/167 (77%)
1.	Do you have a written unit policy regarding the presence of relatives during brain stem death tests?
		yes
		no
		don't know
If yes: What are the main points?
The response to this question have been omitted as it is clear from the open response that this question is ambiguous.
2.	Are relatives asked if they wish to be present during brain stem death testing of the patient?
		yes, routinely	2% (2)
		yes, occasionally	21% (27)
		no, but I would like this to be considered in the future	54% (70)
		no, and I would not like this to be considered in the future	21% (27)
		no response	2% (3)
3.	Have you been asked by relatives if they could be present during brain stem death testing?
		no, never	57% (73)
		yes, occasionally	42% (54)
		yes, frequently	0
		no response	2% (2)
4.	Have relatives been allowed to be present during brain stem death testing?
		yes, always	5% (6)
		yes, frequently	1% (1)
		yes, occasionally	36% (47)
		no, but I would like this to be considered in future	40% (52)
		no, and I would not like this to be considered in future	16% (20)
		no response	2% (3)
	If yes: In your opinion, how helpful or unhelpful was this for the relatives in general?
		definitely helpful	33% (18)
		mostly helpful	41% (22)
		mostly unhelpful	7% (4)
		definitely unhelpful	2% (1)
		don't know	13% (7)
		no response	4% (2)
	Please explain your answer:
5.	In your opinion, what problems could be associated with the presence of relatives during brain stem death testing? (Please feel free to tick more than 1 box)
		dealing with relatives= distress	68% (88)
		relatives may physically interfere with the testing	22% (28)
		relatives may verbally interfere with the testing	36% (47)
		spinal reflexes may occur	86% (111)
		extra nurse required to provide support for the relatives	36% (47)
		potential legal consequences	16% (21)
		dealing with your own discomfort	24% (31)
		none	2% (2)
		other (please specify):
	Please feel free to elaborate on the above points:
6.	In your opinion, what benefits could be associated with the presence of relatives during brain stem death testing? (Please feel free to tick more than 1 box)
		relatives may be more able to accept that the patient has died	84% (108)
		relatives may gain comfort from being present	50% (65)
		none	11% (14)
		other (please specify):
	Please feel free to elaborate on the above points:
7.	Do you think that the presence of relatives would affect your performance of brain stem death tests?
		yes, it would hinder my performance	6% (8)
		yes, it would help my performance	2% (3)
		no, it would not affect my performance	85% (110)
		no response	6% (8)
	Please explain your answer:
8.	Would your view about the presence of relatives be influenced if the patient was a child?
		I would be more likely to allow relatives to be present if the patient was a child	36% (46)
		I would be less likely to allow relatives to be present if the patient was a child	0
		No, it would not make a difference	61% (79)
		no response	3% (4)
	Please explain your answer:
9.	Would your attitude be influenced if appropriate support services for relatives were in place?
		I would definitely be more supportive of the idea of relatives being present	33% (42)
		I would probably be more supportive of the idea of relatives being present	26% (34)
		No, it would not make a difference	36% (47)
		no response	5% (6)
	What support do you think relatives should have?
10.	Do you think that the presence of relatives during brain stem death testing should be encouraged or discouraged?
		I think the presence of relatives should be encouraged
		I think the presence of relatives should be discouraged
		No opinion
		no response
	The response to this question has been omitted because the open comments indicate that this question is ambiguous.
11.	Please write any comments you would like to make: