title: Within the Circle of Care: patient experiences of receiving palliative care.
abstract: This paper presents an overview of a qualitative study of six recently discharged hospice patients, who had experienced at least two episodes of inpatient palliative care and who were interviewed about their experience of care. The resulting data formed a representation--the Circle of Care--with a central theme being the recognition of patient identity. Other emerging themes were: humour, being watched, caring manner, being safe, chosen isolation, relinquishment and relaxation, keeping control, awareness of mortality, recognition of the palliative care philosophy, and the effect of the aesthetic and spiritual environment.
authors.affiliation: General Practice Department, Wellington School of Medicine, Otago University, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: McKinlay
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009520:New Zealand; D010327:Pastoral Care; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010686:Philosophy, Medical; D012449:Safety; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017749:Total Quality Management; D014925:Wit and Humor as Topic