ABSTRACT
Interview accounts included a number of examples of situations from all three practice environments, in which patients needed additional support that was arranged, or facilitated, by the nurses rather than provided by them. Interprofessional working is promoted in situations where two or more professionals from different disciplines improve the quality of patient care through better collaboration. Family relationships played a significant role in supporting patients in a number of respondents' accounts. A number of nurses' experiences implied a limit, or boundary, to the means of fulfilling patient need. Family relationships played a significant role in supporting patients, particularly where members of a patient's family helped them deal with unfinished business. Recognition of personal and professional boundaries, together with referral to others, was in itself spiritual care directed towards meeting patients' needs in coping with loss.
