Patterns of Suffering in Palliative Care: A Descriptive Study

2020 ◽  
pp. 003022282090322
Author(s):  
Tan Seng Beng ◽  
Tan Ting Ting ◽  
Malathi Karupiah ◽  
Cheah Xin Ni ◽  
Hong Li Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Pattern Recognition ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Medical Centre ◽  
Structural Pattern ◽  
Structural Pattern Recognition ◽  
Key Characteristics ◽  
The University

Suffering experiences are common phenomena in palliative care. In this study, we aim to explore the different patterns of suffering in palliative care. Adult palliative care patients were recruited from the University of Malaya Medical Centre. Suffering scores were charted 3 times a day for a week. The characteristics of the suffering charts were analyzed using SPSS. The patterns of suffering were analyzed using structural pattern recognition. A total of 53 patients participated. The overall trends of suffering were downward (64%), upward (19%), and stable (17%). Median minimum and maximum suffering scores were 2/10 and 6/10, with an average of 3.6/10. Nine patterns of suffering were recognized from categorizing two key characteristics of suffering (intensity and fluctuation)—named S1 to S9. Understanding the different patterns of suffering may lead to better suffering management.

Contributing and Relieving Factors of Suffering in Palliative Care Cancer Patients: A Descriptive Study

2020 ◽  
pp. 003022282094264
Author(s):  
Seng Beng Tan ◽  
Ting Ting Tan ◽  
Maw Pin Tan ◽  
Kim Kee Loo ◽  
Poh Khuen Lim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Psychological Factor ◽  
Medical Centre ◽  
Stage Iii ◽  
Descriptive Data

To palliate suffering, understanding the circumstances leading to suffering and its amelioration could be helpful. Our study aimed to explore contributing and relieving factors of suffering in palliative care. Adult palliative care stage III or IV cancer in-patients were recruited from University of Malaya Medical Centre. Participants recorded their overall suffering score from 0 to 10 three times daily, followed by descriptions of their contributing and relieving factors. Factors of suffering were thematically analysed with NVIVO. Descriptive data were analysed with SPSS. 108 patients participated. The most common contributing factor of suffering was health factor (96.3%), followed by healthcare factor (78.7%), psychological factor (63.0%) and community factor (20.4%). The most common relieving factor was health factor (88.9%), followed by psychological factor (78.7%), community factor (75.9%) and healthcare factor (70.4%). Self-reported assessment of suffering offers a rapid approach to detect bothering issues that require immediate attention and further in-depth exploration.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document