Struggling in change at the end of life: a nursing inquiry.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this human science nursing inquiry is to explore the meaning of struggling in change for persons at the end of life.


METHODS
Guided by Parse's theory of human becoming, a descriptive exploratory method was used to answer the research question: What is the meaning of the experience of struggling in change for persons at the end of life? Eight persons who were living with dying described experiences of struggling in change during face-to-face audiotaped interviews.


RESULTS
A process of analysis-synthesis revealed three themes that are discussed in relation to extant related literature and interpreted in light of the human becoming perspective.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings from the study contribute new knowledge about human experience at the end of life from a human science perspective and offer new insights on struggling in change as a rhythmical pattern of living and dying. Implications for palliative practice, research, and education are discussed.
Hutchings
Deanna
D
School of Nursing, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. dmhutchi@uvic.ca
D001293:Attitude to Death; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008016:Life Change Events; D033262:Narration; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000941:ethics / Q000379:methods; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D013637:Tape Recording; D019452:Terminally Ill / Q000523:psychology*