Adding Life To Days: Hope in Palliative Care

Geffen, Sarah (2009) Adding Life To Days: Hope in Palliative Care. [Dissertation (University of Nottingham only)] (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Aim: This study aims to investigate palliative care nurses’ experiences of hope in practice.

Method: The study took place in a day care hospice in a midlands city. Ethical approval was applied for and gained from the relevant School of Medicine. The author interviewed five nurses who worked at the hospice four of whom worked within the day care setting and one of whom worked for the hospice at home programme. A narrative approach was adopted as this enabled the researcher to gain an overall understanding of the meaning of each interview. Themes which arose within each individual interview were cross compared between all the narratives to identify common ideas.

Results: Six themes were identified as being important across all the research, these were:

• Characteristics of hope

• The meaning of hope

• Acceptance

• Control

• Relationships and Support

• Instillation of hope

Conclusion: It is of special importance that palliative care nurses consider the psychological aspect of their work alongside the physical implications and care needs of people with terminal illness. Hope is an important part of that psychological aspect, and is influenced by all facets of nursing. The instillation and support of hope in terminal illness may contribute to a more meaningful ending to life.

Item Type: Dissertation (University of Nottingham only)
Keywords: adult branch, palliative care
Depositing User: EP, Services
Date Deposited: 19 Aug 2009 13:19
Last Modified: 16 Feb 2018 09:46
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/22715

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