[Experience in acceptance of hospice by patients with terminal cancer: a phenomenological research].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to further understanding of the experience in acceptance of hospice by patients with terminal cancer and to explore the structure of this experience.


METHODS
A phenomenological methodology was used for the study. Participants were nine patients who were admitted to the hospice unit of a university hospital. In-depth interviews were done for data collection and the data were analyzed using Colaizzi's method.


RESULTS
Four categories, eight theme clusters and 18 themes were identified for the experience in acceptance of hospice by patients with terminal cancer. The three categories were 'Hope for a comfortable death', 'Overcoming barrier of prejudice about hospice', 'Incessant craving for life', 'The last consideration for self and family'.


CONCLUSIONS
While accepting the hospice care, participants experienced inner conflict between giving up medical treatments that prolong life and choosing a comfortable death, and also experienced an incessant craving for life. By accepting hospice care, they showed a human dignity that entails careful concerns for both self and family members.
Dongsan Medical Center, Keimyung University, Daegu, Korea.
Su Young
SY
Kwak
College of Nursing, Keimyung University, Daegu, Korea. lbs@kmu.ac.kr.
Byoung Sook
BS
Lee
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017051:Hospice Care; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D019452:Terminally Ill
Experiences; Hospices; Qualitative research; Terminally ill