Background Acute hospital settings are generally not considered adequate places for end‐of‐life care, but terminally ill patients will continue to die in acute medical wards in the unforeseeable future. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate family caregivers’ experiences of end‐of‐life care in an acute community hospital in Iceland. Methods Fifteen in‐depth qualitative semi‐structured interviews were conducted with participants who had been primary caregivers. The transcribed interviews were analysed using thematic content analysis. Findings Findings indicated that the acute hospital setting is not a suitable environment for end‐of‐life care. Effective communication and management of symptoms characterised by warmth and security give a sense of resilience. Three main themes emerged: (1) Environmental influences on quality of care; (2) Communication in end‐of‐life care; (3) The dying process. Each of the themes encompassed a variety of subthemes. Conclusions Findings suggest that effective communication is the cornerstone of quality of care in the acute hospital environment and essential for establishing a sense of security. The severity of symptoms can deeply affect family caregivers’ well‐being. Acknowledging and appreciating the meaning of respect and dignity at the end‐of‐life from family caregivers’ perspective is vital.

Physical rehabilitation and psychosocial support are a part of cancer patients well-being and their ability to cope. Physical geography and healthcare provider barriers may have negative influences on patients' health outcomes. To explore the perceptions and experiences of cancer rehabilitation in a rural area in northern Iceland. A further aim was to explore patients' physical and psychosocial wellbeing, coping and satisfaction with care. A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis was completed with a purposive sample of 21 patients at a tertiary hospital in northern Iceland. Three main themes emerged: 1) Rehabilitation -the need for improved access support and continuity; 2) Coping and quality of life -balancing life as it was before cancer against the present situation in order to achieve normality; 3) Satisfaction -encountering caring behaviours enhances satisfaction and well-being. Specifically targeted rehabilitation programmes need to be included in the treatment options for cancer patients. Survival instinct, coping mechanisms and a strong urge to maintain general functionality are of paramount importance intertwined with patients' ability to cope with the disease and treatment, and their satisfaction with care.