Boken – ett stöd i livets slutskede

Abstract

This is a study of the importance of culture for persons who are in their terminal stage of life. The purpose of my study is to find out if culture, particularly literature, can be a comfort for persons who are about to die. The study is based on interviews with people who are working in the palliative team at Norra Älvsborgs Länssjukhus (NÄL) in Trollhättan. It is also based on study of literature. It is literature about hospital library, culture in hospital treatment, palliative care, bibliotherapy and ”own stories” from dying persons. The result shows that culture can act as a kind of treatment of the soul. The interviews with the staff at NÄL show that some patients felt better due to the access of culture. It is important with good collaboration between the members of the staff, and this is the case at NÄL.