Living with a terminal illness: patients' priorities

摘要: BACKGROUND: Our understanding of terminal illness and its consequences has been predominantly based on models derived from expert definition, rather than the patient's perspective. More recently, quality life tools have developed to enable patient choice in responses. However, an even broader approach may be needed help identify goals for care patients who are terminally ill. AIM: The aim this paper is report exploratory, qualitative study exploring what people living with considered were areas priority their lives. METHODS: Ten cancer interviewed. Analysis interviews incorporated principles narrative analysis grounded theory. FINDINGS: Over 30 categories identified collated into five inter-related themes (personal/intrinsic factors, external/extrinsic future issues, perceptions normality taking charge) encompassing issues importance all participants. Each theme focused 'life living' relation as it was or would without illness. Practical daily opportunity address philosophical around meaning emerged important areas. central theme, 'taking charge', concerned people's levels engagement, integrally connected other themes. CONCLUSIONS: findings suggest that way which health professionals manage patients' involvement matters such symptom relief can impact existential concern. Understanding perspectives each assist develop management strategies appropriate needs. challenge some aspects traditional 'expert-defined' outcome measures. As exploratory study, further work test model presented.