Patients Receiving Palliative Care and Their Experiences of Encounters With Healthcare Professionals

Elina Haavisto, Eriksson Sofia, Cleland Silva Tricia, Koivisto Jaana-Maija, Kausamo Katariina, Soikkeli Jalonen Anu

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Abstract

The study aimed to explore experiences of encounters with health care professionals among patients receiving palliative cancer care in specialist palliative care inpatient units. A qualitative explorative study design was conducted in a specialist palliative care inpatient setting. Data collection was implemented using semi-structured individual interviews (20 palliative care cancer patients) and analysed with inductive content analysis. Palliative care patients experienced both meaningful and disrespectful encounters with healthcare professionals. The meaningful encounters encompassed authentic and supportive experiences, while the disrespectful encounters included indifferent and inadequate experiences. Caring for a patient receiving palliative care requires care beyond tending to a patient’s physical needs. Patients should be encountered holistically and as equal human beings without highlighting their roles as patients. The healthcare professionals and the organisations should also acknowledge the importance of time and effort spent for encounters and conversations with the patients instead of concentrating resources mainly on physical care.

Original languageEnglish
JournalOmega (United States)
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 2 Mar 2022
Publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Keywords

  • cancer
  • encounter
  • end-of-life
  • hospital care
  • palliative care
  • patient

Publication forum classification

  • Publication forum level 1

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine
  • Life-span and Life-course Studies

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