Hope in Hospitalized Patients with Terminal Cancer

Abstract

Hope is of great importance for patients diagnosed with cancer, especially those that are terminally ill. The diagnosis often puts an end to the realization of personal, social, and professional goals. The aim of this study was to characterize the hope of hospitalized patients diagnosed with cancer in the terminal phase of the disease. The research tool used in the study was Block’s hope test (NCN-36; NCN- Nadzieja Chorych Nowotworowych—Hope of Cancer Patients), designed for patients with life-threatening diseases. The results showed that the patients were characterized by a moderate level of global hope. The highest levels of hope were noted in the spiritual-religious area and the lowest levels of hope concerned curing the disease. Patients exhibited varied levels of hope and varied internal structures of hope. They presented four different types of hope: optimistic, moderate, religious, and weak. Optimistic hope was found most frequently in patients diagnosed with a terminal phase of cancer, while weak hope was represented by the smallest group of these patients.

Hope in Advanced Cancer Patients in the Terminal Phase of Neoplastic Disease and Stability of Basic Mood

“…The reference to the patient's experiences results from the method of conducting the examination in the form of a "conversation-interview" while noting the test results on the Answer Sheet, and from the introductory instruction referring to the patient's mood, experience in recent days and his/her personal thoughts. The interview method was as described earlier [15,16]. This interview, apart from diagnostic purposes, also allowed the implementation of therapeutic activities.…”

“…As described previously [15,16], Personal Card is a set of data selected from an extensive Personal Questionnaire (Witkowski 1976) and supplemented with new data adjusted to the subject of the new research. The Personal Card for persons in the terminal phase of neoplastic disease contained data describing the group, enabling them to be evaluated as variables for further analysis in terms of their possible relationship with NCN-36 results.…”

From bystander to enlisted carer – A qualitative study of the experiences of caregivers of patients attending follow-up after curative treatment for cancers in the pancreas, duodenum and bile duct

“…Consequently, patients and caregivers may focus their hopes and energy on overcoming the disease and resuming life as it was. Terminally ill patients and their caregivers, on the other hand, may likely hold qualitatively different hopes, for example spiritual and religious and more short-term hopes (Baczewska et al, 2019). Although treatment is with curative intent, both patients with PDB cancers and their caregivers must also cope with the dire statistics on risk of recurrence in these cancers (Adams et al, 2012).…”

Fearing the Future: A Call to Teach Hope

“…Improving patient experiences starts with the healthcare provider, thus teaching how to cultivate hope first to healthcare students could be an opportunity to instill this positive trait within the future practitioner and the ability to transmit hope to the patient. The level of hope has been regularly assessed in patients, yet limited research exists on the hope in students who will one day treat these patients [18,[21][22][23]. [8,19,20,22,24,25].…”

“…Evaluation of the role of hope offers an opportunity to assess university students' current and future perceptions. Interventions to alleviate anxiety can instill future coping skills as well as professional interactions and realistic encouragement with patients [8,[21][22][23]. Based on the current pilot study, students are fearful of the future.…”