TY - JOUR

T1 - The communication experiences of patients with palliative care needs

T2 - a meta-synthesis of qualitative findings

AU - Murray, Craig

AU - McDonald, Claire

AU - Atkin, Heather

PY - 2015/4

Y1 - 2015/4

N2 - Objective: Optimal communication is essential in ensuring that the palliative care needs of patients are met. This continues to be an area of concern for healthcare providers. The goal of our present review was to gain a deeper understanding of the communication experiences of patients with palliative care needs that have been identified within the qualitative literature.Method: A systematic search for qualitative research papers was undertaken in February of 2012. Five databases (ASSIA, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsychArticles, and PsychINFO) were searched using the search terms [“palliative care” OR “terminal care” OR “end of life care”] AND [“experience” OR “perspective” OR “qualitative” OR “interview”] AND [“patients” OR “clients” OR “service-user”]. Meta-synthesis was conducted on the data within the found papers.Results: A line-of-argument synthesis of 15 studies yielded four overarching themes: talking—facilitating and inhibiting factors; the importance of humanitarian qualities within communication encounters; perceptions of autonomy within communication experiences; and individual differences in preferences for honesty within interactions.Significance of results: Our findings are discussed in relation to existing literature and offer a deeper insight into the communication experiences of this clinical population. A number of clinical implications are offered for the healthcare professionals who are providing support to patients with palliative care needs.

AB - Objective: Optimal communication is essential in ensuring that the palliative care needs of patients are met. This continues to be an area of concern for healthcare providers. The goal of our present review was to gain a deeper understanding of the communication experiences of patients with palliative care needs that have been identified within the qualitative literature.Method: A systematic search for qualitative research papers was undertaken in February of 2012. Five databases (ASSIA, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsychArticles, and PsychINFO) were searched using the search terms [“palliative care” OR “terminal care” OR “end of life care”] AND [“experience” OR “perspective” OR “qualitative” OR “interview”] AND [“patients” OR “clients” OR “service-user”]. Meta-synthesis was conducted on the data within the found papers.Results: A line-of-argument synthesis of 15 studies yielded four overarching themes: talking—facilitating and inhibiting factors; the importance of humanitarian qualities within communication encounters; perceptions of autonomy within communication experiences; and individual differences in preferences for honesty within interactions.Significance of results: Our findings are discussed in relation to existing literature and offer a deeper insight into the communication experiences of this clinical population. A number of clinical implications are offered for the healthcare professionals who are providing support to patients with palliative care needs.

KW - Communication

KW - Meta-synthesis

KW - Palliative care

KW - Qualitative

KW - Patients

U2 - 10.1017/S1478951514000455

DO - 10.1017/S1478951514000455

M3 - Journal article

VL - 13

SP - 369

EP - 383

JO - Palliative and Supportive Care

JF - Palliative and Supportive Care

SN - 1478-9515

IS - 2

ER -