Transition experiences during courses of incurable cancer from the perspective of bereaved spouses.

Abstract

PURPOSE\nThe present study explores transition experiences during courses of incurable cancer from the perspective of bereaved spouses.\n\n\nMETHOD\nTen bereaved spouses participated in individual semi-structured interviews conducted in participants private homes. The study takes a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach and data was analysed inspired by the French philosopher Paul Ricoeur s theory of interpretation.\n\n\nFINDINGS\nTwo main themes were identified. The first one: Being present when the life of their loved one is ending consisted of three subthemes: Challenged by suffering , Transitions during the final days and Moving on in life . The second main theme: Meaningful transitions in palliative care consisted of two subthemes: Changing direction towards palliative care and Transitions in palliative care .\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nBereaved spouses experienced meaningful transitions when the life of their loved one was ending and related to receiving palliative care. Spouses were challenged by witnessing their loved one s suffering and experienced a deviation in the quality of professional palliative care offered in the system of healthcare.