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The glimmering embers: Experiences of hope among cancer patients in palliative home care

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2011

Louise Olsson ,
Gunnel Östlund ,
Peter Strang ,
Eva Jeppsson Grassman  and
Maria Friedrichsen
Louise Olsson*
Affiliation:
Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Campus Norrköping, Linköping University, Norrköping, Sweden
Gunnel Östlund
Affiliation:
Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Campus Norrköping, Linköping University, Norrköping, Sweden
Peter Strang
Affiliation:
Karolinska Institutet, FoUU, Stockholms sjukhem, Mariebergsgatan, Stockholm, Sweden
Eva Jeppsson Grassman
Affiliation:
Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Campus Norrköping, Linköping University, Norrköping, Sweden
Maria Friedrichsen
Affiliation:
Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Campus Norrköping, Linköping University, Norrköping, Sweden Palliative Education and Research Center Unit of Palliative Care, Vrinnevi Hospital, Norrköping, Sweden
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Louise Olsson, Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Campus Norrköping, SE 601 74 Norrköping, Sweden. E-mail: louol@isv.liu.se
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Abstract

Objective:

The experience of hope among cancer patients in palliative care is important information for healthcare providers, but research on the subject is sparse. The aim of this article was to explore how cancer patients admitted to palliative home care experienced the significance of hope and used hope during 6 weeks throughout the last phase of their life, and to assess their symptoms and hope status during 6 weeks throughout the last phase of their lives.

Method:

Eleven adult patients with cancer participated in 20 interviews and completed seven diaries. The participants were recruited from two palliative care units in the southeast of Sweden. The method used was Grounded Theory (GT), and analysis was based on the constant comparative method.

Results:

The core category, glimmering embers, was generated from four processes: (1) The creation of “convinced” hope, with a focus on positive events, formed in order to have something to look forward to; (2) The creation of “simulated hope,” including awareness of the lack of realism, but including attempts to believe in unrealistic reasons for hope; (3) The collection of and maintaining of moments of hope, expressing a wish to “seize the day” and hold on to moments of joy and pleasure; and (4) “Gradually extinct” hope, characterized by a lack of energy and a sense of time running out.

Significance of results:

The different processes of hope helped the patients to continue to live when they were close to death. Hope should be respected and understood by the professionals giving them support.

Keywords

HopeMeaningGTCancerPalliative care
Type
Original Articles
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 9 , Issue 1 , March 2011 , pp. 43 - 54
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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