Living on borrowed time: experiences in palliative care.
OBJECTIVE
To gain insight into the experiences of a palliative care patient and her husband who were living on borrowed time.


METHODS
A qualitative single case design was used. Systematic content analysis of the interview data, obtained in an in-depth semi-structured interview, from the husband and wife was conducted to extract themes relating to living on borrowed time.


RESULTS
Three themes were identified: shifts in the interpretation of physical signs and symptoms, altered view of the future and altered choices and priorities.


CONCLUSIONS
The identified themes lead to a better understanding of the phenomenon of living on borrowed time. Yet, refinement of, and variation within the themes still need to be studied in order to get more grips on the themes and to be better able to help patients to integrate the 'new reality'.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings can be used to support professionals in the practical application of care when their patients need to integrate the 'new reality' and seek new equilibrium, e.g. converted into a conversational guide, or used for educational purposes.
Groot
Marieke M
MM
Centre for Quality of Care Research, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, The Netherlands. c.groot@kwazo.umcn.nl
Derksen
Els W C
EW
Crul
Ben J P
BJ
Grol
Richard P T M
RP
Vernooij-Dassen
Myrra J F J
MJ
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006117:Grief; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged; D009013:Morale; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013998:Time Perception