A mixed method thematic review: the importance of hope to the dying patient.
OBJECTIVE
To review the literature and investigate the meaning of hope to patients receiving palliative care and to examine the themes that foster hope in those patients.


BACKGROUND
Hope is often linked to the future and is a significant factor for patients dealing with adversity, such as a terminal illness. The concept of hope is underreported in the literature.


METHODS
Mixed method thematic review.


METHODS
CINAHL, Scopus, PsychINFO, Informit, PubMed, Science Direct, ProQuest, Web of Science and Google Scholar online databases were searched using keywords and inclusion and exclusion criteria published between 2003-2013.


METHODS
Twelve qualitative articles were thematically analysed using Braun and Clarke's (2006) steps to ascertain major themes and sub-themes. On analysis, the remaining three mixed method studies were found to reflect the themes generated by the qualitative studies.


RESULTS
Seven key themes that increased hope were found: disease status; positive personal relationships; positive character traits; quality of life; setting and achieving goals; spirituality/religion; and hope after death.


CONCLUSIONS
The importance of hope to dying patients was established. Hope is a very complex and personal phenomena requiring hope-enhancing strategies to be individualized. More research is needed with groups whose culture, youth or type of illness may affect their ability to foster and maintain hope.
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Kathleen
K
Broadhurst
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Ann
A
Harrington
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001293:Attitude to Death; D005260:Female; D065026:Hope; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000523:psychology*; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D029181:Spirituality; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000523:psychology*
adult; dying patient; hope; hospice; nursing; palliative care; spirituality; thematic literature review