Coping with the unthinkable: A qualitative metasynthesis of patients’ experiences with incurable cancer

Anu Viitala; Mira Palonen; Juho Lehto; Päivi Åstedt-Kurki

doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2025.102876

Coping with the unthinkable: A qualitative metasynthesis of patients’ experiences with incurable cancer

Tutkimustuotos: Artikkeli › Tieteellinen › vertaisarvioitu

1 Sitaatiot (Scopus)

26 Lataukset (Pure)

Abstrakti

Purpose
This study aimed to address the coping experiences of adult patients with incurable cancer palliative and hospice care. The objective of the study was to provide information that can help improve their support.
Methods
The study used a qualitative research design, including a literature review and semi-structured interviews with 56 adult patients. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis and metasynthesis.
Results
Key coping factors identified were managing everyday life, maintaining the best possible health, utilizing support options, and accepting the incurable nature of their disease. Emotional coping and inconsistencies in the healthcare support network also played significant roles.
Conclusions
The study highlighted the coping experiences, expectations, and problems faced by patients with incurable cancer, aiming to make their needs more visible in public healthcare. The findings can help healthcare sectors design better services and support for these patients and their families.

Alkuperäiskieli	Englanti
Artikkeli	102876
Sivumäärä	8
Julkaisu	European Journal of Oncology Nursing
Vuosikerta	76
DOI - pysyväislinkit	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2025.102876
Tila	Julkaistu - 2025
OKM-julkaisutyyppi	A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä

Rahoitus

This research was supported by grants received from the Finnish Cancer Foundation and Tampere University. The study was also partly supported by the Tampere University Hospital Support Foundation, Tampere University Hospital (project No. MK310).

Rahoittajat	Rahoittajan numero
Foundation for the Finnish Cancer Institute
Tampere University Hospital Support Foundation	MK310

YK:n kestävän kehityksen tavoitteet

Tämä tuotos edistää seuraavia kestävän kehityksen tavoitteita:

SDG 3 – Hyvä terveys ja hyvinvointi

Julkaisufoorumi-taso

Jufo-taso 2

Pääsy asiakirjaan

10.1016/j.ejon.2025.102876Lisenssi: CC BY

1-s2.0-S1462388925001000-mainFinal published version, 2,48 MBLisenssi: CC BY

https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202505024598Lisenssi: CC BY

Siteeraa tätä

@article{134405bf04214b5b9e701217fb3d1a0e,

title = "Coping with the unthinkable: A qualitative metasynthesis of patients{\textquoteright} experiences with incurable cancer",

abstract = "Purpose This study aimed to address the coping experiences of adult patients with incurable cancer palliative and hospice care. The objective of the study was to provide information that can help improve their support. Methods The study used a qualitative research design, including a literature review and semi-structured interviews with 56 adult patients. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis and metasynthesis. Results Key coping factors identified were managing everyday life, maintaining the best possible health, utilizing support options, and accepting the incurable nature of their disease. Emotional coping and inconsistencies in the healthcare support network also played significant roles. Conclusions The study highlighted the coping experiences, expectations, and problems faced by patients with incurable cancer, aiming to make their needs more visible in public healthcare. The findings can help healthcare sectors design better services and support for these patients and their families. ",

keywords = "Incurable cancer, Supportive care, Palliative care, Coping, Managing, Adaptation, Qualitative, Interview, Content analysis, Metasynthesis",

author = "Anu Viitala and Mira Palonen and Juho Lehto and P{\"a}ivi {\AA}stedt-Kurki",

year = "2025",

doi = "10.1016/j.ejon.2025.102876",

language = "English",

volume = "76",

journal = "European Journal of Oncology Nursing",

issn = "1462-3889",

publisher = "Churchill Livingstone",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Coping with the unthinkable

T2 - A qualitative metasynthesis of patients’ experiences with incurable cancer

AU - Viitala, Anu

AU - Palonen, Mira

AU - Lehto, Juho

AU - Åstedt-Kurki, Päivi

PY - 2025

Y1 - 2025

N2 - Purpose This study aimed to address the coping experiences of adult patients with incurable cancer palliative and hospice care. The objective of the study was to provide information that can help improve their support. Methods The study used a qualitative research design, including a literature review and semi-structured interviews with 56 adult patients. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis and metasynthesis. Results Key coping factors identified were managing everyday life, maintaining the best possible health, utilizing support options, and accepting the incurable nature of their disease. Emotional coping and inconsistencies in the healthcare support network also played significant roles. Conclusions The study highlighted the coping experiences, expectations, and problems faced by patients with incurable cancer, aiming to make their needs more visible in public healthcare. The findings can help healthcare sectors design better services and support for these patients and their families.

AB - Purpose This study aimed to address the coping experiences of adult patients with incurable cancer palliative and hospice care. The objective of the study was to provide information that can help improve their support. Methods The study used a qualitative research design, including a literature review and semi-structured interviews with 56 adult patients. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis and metasynthesis. Results Key coping factors identified were managing everyday life, maintaining the best possible health, utilizing support options, and accepting the incurable nature of their disease. Emotional coping and inconsistencies in the healthcare support network also played significant roles. Conclusions The study highlighted the coping experiences, expectations, and problems faced by patients with incurable cancer, aiming to make their needs more visible in public healthcare. The findings can help healthcare sectors design better services and support for these patients and their families.

KW - Incurable cancer, Supportive care, Palliative care, Coping, Managing, Adaptation, Qualitative, Interview, Content analysis, Metasynthesis

U2 - 10.1016/j.ejon.2025.102876

DO - 10.1016/j.ejon.2025.102876

M3 - Article

SN - 1462-3889

VL - 76

JO - European Journal of Oncology Nursing

JF - European Journal of Oncology Nursing

M1 - 102876

ER -

Coping with the unthinkable: A qualitative metasynthesis of patients’ experiences with incurable cancer

Abstrakti

Rahoitus

YK:n kestävän kehityksen tavoitteet

Julkaisufoorumi-taso

Pääsy asiakirjaan

Sormenjälki

Siteeraa tätä