The perception of time in hospice patients: qualitative study.

Abstract

Temporal dimension in hospice has an essential role, because the perception of time by the patients is influenced by the perspective of death. There are few international scientific studies and even fewer Italian studies about the perception of time by the patients, especially in palliative care. Therefore it's important to implement studies in this area with the purpose of giving more respectful and appropriate caring. This study aimed to explore the perception of time by hospice patients and the implications that the perception of time has on the quality of life, and propose a time reading model. Qualitative approach was used. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 25 hospice patients, enrolled with purposeful sampling. Data analysis was conducted using Qualitative Content Analysis. The perception of time by patients in palliative care was described through three main themes: "time has quality and value", "time can be governed by people or dominate the person", "time has a present dimension that passes quickly or slowly and a future dimension made up of expectation and hopes". Was proposed a time reading model about connection between Aiòn, Chronos and Kairòs. Through interviews was explored perception of time by patient obtaining useful elements for nursing care. This study suggests possible future directions for research about further elements that influence the experience of time and about the healthcare professional perspective about this theme.