J Korean Acad Nurs.  2013 Dec;43(6):781-790. 10.4040/jkan.2013.43.6.781.

Experience in Acceptance of Hospice by Patients with Terminal Cancer : A Phenomenological Research

• Kwak SY
• Lee BS

• KMID: 1711269
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2013.43.6.781

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to further understanding of the experience in acceptance of hospice by patients with terminal cancer and to explore the structure of this experience.
METHODS
A phenomenological methodology was used for the study. Participants were nine patients who were admitted to the hospice unit of a university hospital. In-depth interviews were done for data collection and the data were analyzed using Colaizzi's method.
RESULTS
Four categories, eight theme clusters and 18 themes were identified for the experience in acceptance of hospice by patients with terminal cancer. The three categories were 'Hope for a comfortable death', 'Overcoming barrier of prejudice about hospice', 'Incessant craving for life', 'The last consideration for self and family'.
CONCLUSION
While accepting the hospice care, participants experienced inner conflict between giving up medical treatments that prolong life and choosing a comfortable death, and also experienced an incessant craving for life. By accepting hospice care, they showed a human dignity that entails careful concerns for both self and family members.

Keyword

Hospices; Terminally ill; Experiences; Qualitative research

MeSH Terms

Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Aged
Caregivers/psychology
Female
*Hospice Care
Hospitals, University
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Male
Middle Aged
Neoplasms/*psychology
*Qualitative Research
Terminally Ill

Reference

1. Ahn EJ, Lee YS. Burnout and burden of family care-givers for caring of terminal patients with cancer. J Korean Oncol Nurs. 2005; 5(1):40–51.

2. Chang SY. Effects of aroma hand massage on pain, state anxiety and depression in hospice patients with terminal cancer. J Korean Acad Nurs. 2008; 38(4):493–502. http://dx.doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2008.38.4.493.

3. Choi Y. Concepts associated with death, fear and fear overcoming methods held by patients with cancer in terminal stage and their families in hospices. Daejeon: Chungnam National Univeristy;2012. Unpublished master's thesis.

4. Colaizzi PF. Psychological research as the phenomenologist views it. In : Valle RS, King M, editors. Existential phenomenological alternatives for psychology. New York, NY: Oxford University Press;1978. p. 48–71.

5. Han YM. Spiritual needs of hospice patients. Korean J Hosp Palliat Care. 2000; 3(1):39–48.

6. Hong MS, Cho MJ. The effects of music therapy on pain, depression and anxiety in terminal cancer patients. J Korean Oncol Nurs. 2010; 10(1):112–118.

7. Hong YS. Treatment status and problems of terminally ill patients. In : Paper presented at the meeting of the Korean Society for Hospice and Palliative Care; Daejeon. 2004. 12.

8. Hughes A, Gudmundsdottir M, Davies B. Everyday struggling to survive: Experience of the urban poor living with advanced cancer. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2007; 34(6):1113–1118. http://dx.doi.org/10.1188/07.onf.1113-1118.

9. Kim JI. Experience of hope in terminal cancer patients: Applying Parse's theory of becoming a human being. Gwangju: Chonnam National University;2010. Unpublished doctoral dissertation.

10. Kim M. Philosophical studies on cognition and attitude of Koreans towards death. Stud confucian. 2010; 22:73–108.

11. Kim M, Jung IS. Suffering and hospice care. Korean J Hosp Palliat Care. 2007; 10(1):21–28.

12. Kim MS, Lee CS, Kim HC. The effects of hospice volunteer education program on perceptions about hospice and the meaning of life. J Korean Oncol Nurs. 2007; 7(2):131–139.

13. Kim YH. A study of nurses burden and attitude on terminal cancer patients. J Korean Oncol Nurs. 2001; 1(1):65–74.

14. Kong BH. Art of caring in nursing. Philos Med. 2007; 3:97–116.

15. Koo HY, Choi SH, Park HR. Cognition and needs for hospice care among parents of children with cancer. J Korean Acad Child Health Nurs. 2009; 15(3):325–333. http://dx.doi.org/10.4094/jkachn.2009.15.3.325.

16. Kübler-Ross E. On death and dying. New York, NY: McMillan;1968.

17. Kyung MH, Jang YM, Han KH, Yun YH. Current Status and Activation Plan of Hospice Palliative Care in Korea - Based on Hospice Palliative Care Facilities Survey. Korean J Hosp Palliat Care. 2010; 13(3):143–152.

18. Lee OJ. Lived experience of patients with terminal cancer: Parses human becoming methodology. J Nurs Acad Soc. 1995; 25(3):510–537.

19. Lee WH. Total pain of patient with terminal cancer. Korean J Hosp Palliat Care. 2000; 3(1):60–73.

20. Paice JA. Managing psychological conditions in palliative care. Am J Nurs. 2002; 102(11):36–42. quiz 43.

21. Satterly L. Guilt, shame, and religious and spiritual pain. Holist Nurs Pract. 2001; 15(2):30–39.

22. Shin DW, Choi JY, Nam BH, Seo WS, Kim HY, Hwang EJ, et al. The current status of utilization of palliative care units in Korea: 6 month results of 2009 Korean terminal cancer patient information system. Korean J Hosp Palliat Care. 2010; 13(3):181–189.

23. Statistics Korea. 2013 annual report on the cause of death statistis. Daejeon: Author;2013.

24. Suh IS, Shin MH, Hong SH. Needs of hospice care and quality of life for cancer patients. Korean J Hosp Palliat Care. 2010; 13(2):89–97.

25. Yoon MO. The study on the effects of hospice care on the pain management of the terminal cancer patients. Korean J Hosp Palliat Care. 2003; 6(1):34–44.

26. Yoon MO, Park JS. The effect of spiritual nursing intervention on anxiety and depression of the hospice patients. J Korean Acad Adult Nurs. 2002; 14(3):337–347.

27. Yun YH, Rhee YS, Nam SY, Chae YM, Heo DS, Lee SW, et al. Public attitudes toward dying with dignity and hospice. Palliative care. Korean J Hosp Palliat Care. 2004; 7(1):17–28.

28. Zack MV. The experience of loneliness in adult, hospitalized, dying persons. Cleveland, OH: Case Western Reserve University;1991. Unpublished doctoral dissertation.