Understanding the incomprehensible - patients' and spouses' experiences of comprehensibility before, at and after diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Findings of similar experiences in comprehensibility between patients and spouses strengthen the importance of support and information to both parties. Since they hovered between comprehensibility and incomprehensibility during the whole disease process, it is important that their questions, fears and worries are met, from the first visit at hospital and through the whole process. Multiprofessional teams, such as ALS teams and palliative teams can from a holistic perspective increase the possibility of meeting their needs in their unique situation.