Palliative chemotherapy: The perspectives and experiences of south african nurses

Abstract

Objective:The objective of this study was to describe the perspectives and experiences of South African nurses caring for patients receiving palliative chemotherapy.Methods:A qualitative descriptive design was used and purposive sampling allowed us to select 11 nurses practising in a private ambulatory cancer care center in Port Elizabeth. In-depth interviews, guided by three broad themes were conducted and analyzed using qualitative content analyses. Data saturation determined the sample size.Results:Two themes emerged from the data – the patients cling to hope and the positive influence of palliative chemotherapy. The participants believed that patients consenting to palliative chemotherapy were clinging to false hope. They were also of the opinion that family members pressurize patients to consent to treatment. The participants experienced palliative chemotherapy positively, especially when an improvement in the patients’ quality of life or pain relief was evident. Fatigue was highlighted as the major side effect, but it did not temper the participants’ positive attitudes toward the treatment.Conclusions:Although the participants believed that patients cling to hope and consent to palliative chemotherapy because they hope to be cured, they experienced the treatment as positive. For them, the improvement in pain and quality of life outweighed the side effects the patients experienced. The positive attitude patients upheld while receiving this treatment encouraged them. Nurses should gain more knowledge about the meaning, people living with advanced cancer, attach to hope to prevent them from interpreting patients’ hope as denial and false.

Nurses’ Insights and Experiences in Palliative Chemotherapy Care

“…However, an alternative perspective on hope was also noted, emphasizing that some patients cling to hope because it is what makes life meaningful for them, and they may resist redirecting their hope towards more realistic goals [ 23 ]. Additionally, the study revealed that patients didn’t always make the decision to undergo palliative chemotherapy entirely on their own; some felt pressure from their families [ 8 ]. The role of others in patients’ palliative chemotherapy decisions varied, with different studies showing different patterns of decision-making, either involving doctors, patients themselves, or family influence [ 24 , 25 , 8 ].…”

“…Additionally, the study revealed that patients didn’t always make the decision to undergo palliative chemotherapy entirely on their own; some felt pressure from their families [ 8 ]. The role of others in patients’ palliative chemotherapy decisions varied, with different studies showing different patterns of decision-making, either involving doctors, patients themselves, or family influence [ 24 , 25 , 8 ]. Some patients may not be entirely transparent about their well-being due to concerns that their treatment might be stopped.…”

“…While there is a burgeoning body of research on palliative care and nursing experiences globally, the unique sociocultural context of Jordan adds a layer of complexity that necessitates specific attention. Jordanian healthcare practices, cultural norms, and institutional frameworks may influence the way nurses perceive and navigate their roles in palliative care, making it essential to explore their experiences within this distinct context [ 8 ]. The existing literature predominantly focuses on general aspects of palliative care, often overlooking the unique challenges and triumphs faced by nurses in a governmental cancer care center in Jordan.…”

Eficácia da quimioterapia nos cuidados paliativos em pacientes oncológicos: uma revisão integrativa

“…Como em toda equipe de saúde, o papel do enfermeiro é primordial e indispensável na assistência ao paciente oncológico, proporcionando melhor conforto aos pacientes e familiares, na fase final de vida (Matzo, 2016;Souza, 2011). O enfermeiro é o profissional que se encontra a maior parte do tempo ao lado do paciente durante todo o seu tratamento (Maree & Potgieter, 2018). Enquanto houver vida, existe o cuidado de enfermagem, mesmo para uma doença incurável (Matzo, 2016).…”

Supporting teaching and learning in out-of-field subjects : a case study of departmental heads.

“…Purposive sampling refers to the procedure wherein the researcher employs their own discretion to select participants who possess unique and specialised information regarding the topic that is under research (Rahi, 2017). Maree and Potgieter (2018) and Korstjens and Moser (2018) state that sampling is the process of choosing or looking for circumstances, environments, and/or participants who provide rich data on the phenomenon of interest. Since a qualitative case study focuses on a limited number of varied groups, the sample size is often modest (Windsong, 2018).…”