Patients' experiences of palliative care in the home: a phenomenological study of a Swedish sample.

Abstract

In recent times the rapid expansion of interest in palliative care has become a significant feature of health care development. Caring in the palliative way means simultaneous attention to the medical, nursing, spiritual, emotional, and social needs of the patient. The main purpose of the present study has been to obtain an understanding of patients' experiences of palliative care at home with service from district nurses. The research design is influenced by Giorgi's phenomenology. Six patients diagnosed with cancer and receiving palliative care at home were interviewed and the transcribed interviews were analyzed. Interviews were conducted in the patients' homes. The findings show that the essential meaning of the patients' experiences of palliative home care can be described as "uncertain safety." This meaning of essence is explicated by 4 themes, which are labeled "Safe but unsafe at home," "A sense of powerlessness," "Change of everyday life," and "Hope and belief in the future." The findings of the study point out the importance of well functioning teamwork and resources to facilitate patient's experiences of safety in their own homes. It should be noted that the patient and their next of kin are members of the team.