Background/aims: In Sweden, palliative care, is an interdisciplinary approach including e.g. doctors, nurses, hospital social workers, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, having knowledge about the patient’s physical and medical status. Communication about existential issues as life and death, and meaning, contribute to relieve symptoms for patients and support their next-of-kin. Today, these conversations are not provided on equal terms to all patients in palliative care. Therefore, there is a need for deeper knowledge about healthcare professionals’ experiences of existential conversations with patients and their next-of-kin in palliative care, and investigate their main concerns to initiate and implement these conversations.Aim:To deepen the understanding of healthcare professionals’ communication strategies and main concerns in conversations with patients having palliative care needs and their next-of kin.Methods: Design: A qualitative approach using grounded theory method for data collection and analysis with a focus on communication processes in the participants’ natural settings. Seven focus group interviews with assistant and registered nurses, psysiotherapists and occupational therapists were conducted. The analysis is in progress and final results will presented at the conference.Results: Preliminary results: Professionals’ main concerns involved “Establishing a trusting relationship” which they solved by “Maintaining presence” despite challenges. These challenges affected how they handled their main concern and are represented in the categories “Talking about death” “Capturing wishes and needs” and “Guiding the patient and next-of-kin”.Conclusions: A theory based on the professional’s main concerns and challenges will be developed when all data have been analyzed.