Psychological processes of suffering of palliative care patients in Malaysia: a thematic analysis.
Although suffering in palliative care has received increasing attention over the past decade, the psychological processes that underpin suffering remain relatively unexplored.


OBJECTIVE
To understand the psychological processes involved in the experiencing of suffering at the end phase of life.


METHODS
Semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 palliative care inpatients from an academic medical centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The transcripts were thematically analysed with NVIVO9.


RESULTS
5 themes of psychological processes of suffering were generated: (1) perceptions, (2) cognitive appraisals, (3) hope and the struggles with acceptance, (4) emotions and (5) clinging. A model of suffering formation was constructed.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings may inform the development of mechanism-based interventions in the palliation of suffering.
Unit of Palliative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Seng Beng
SB
Tan
Department of Medicine, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Ee Chin
EC
Loh
Department of Medicine, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Chee Loong
CL
Lam
Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Chong Guan
CG
Ng
Department of Medicine, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Ee Jane
EJ
Lim
University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Christopher Chiong Meng
CCM
Boey
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D064946:Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*
Malaysia; Palliative Care; Psychosocial Care; Suffering; Thematic Analysis