Researchers: Wendy Duggleby, DSN, RN,AOCN
(PI) and Karen Wright, PhD, RN (CI) College of Nursing, University
of Saskatchewan
Purpose: The purpose of the pilot study was to evaluate the
appropriateness of the recruitment and data collection procedures
and to collect preliminary data for a study exploring the relationship
between hope and symptoms experienced by elderly palliative
patients with advanced cancer.
Procedures: Using theoretical
purposive sampling, saturation was reached by interviewing
10 participants. All
participants
who were approached agree to participate. Many of the participants
commented on how much they enjoyed participating in the study.
For example, one participant said: “Thank you for asking
me to do this. I hope that I have answered it the best way
I possibly could and I hope that somebody will benefit, doesn’t
matter who it is.”
Findings: Five participants were female and five male (mean
age 75 years; range 65-85yrs. All participants were Caucasian
diagnosed with various types of cancer, as well as secondary
conditions such as kidney disease, arthritis, and heart conditions
etc. The average years of education were 10.70 years (range
8-16 yrs). Total Herth Hope Index (HHI) scores were high
(mean 42.70/48; range 34-48) and total Edmonton Symptom
Assessment
Scale (ESAS) scores were low (mean 2.21).
Qualitative data was analyzed using a grounded
theory approach. Participants described “living with hope” as a
conscious decision, which involved acknowledging reality, searching
for meaning and refocusing their hope. Their hope was refocused
from hope for a cure to hope for: a) “not suffering more”,
b) “living life to the fullest in the little time I have
left”, c) a peaceful death, d) life after death, and
d) “hope for a better life in the future” for their
family. “Living with hope” was important to
the participants so that they could live their life to
the fullest,
making each day count.
Participants described controlling symptoms
fostered their hope. Uncontrolled symptoms hindered their
hope: “if
you feel really in pain and down in the dumps, it’s pretty
hard to think about how far you’re going to go.” Other
ways to foster hope were described as a) leaving a legacy,
b) achieving short term goals, c) “turning your mind
off” d) supportive family and friends, e) symbols
of hope, f) positive thoughts, and g) receiving factual
honest
information and h) symptom control.
Acknowledgements: This study
was funded by the University of Saskatchewan President’s
SSHRC research grant. We would also like to acknowledge the
Sunrise Health
Region palliative
care coordinator (Joleen Cherland), patients and families
for making this study possible.
Publications:
