Fernanda Capella Rugno1, Bianca Sakamoto Ribeiro Paiva2, João Soares Nunes3, Carlos Eduardo Paiva4. 1. Palliative Care Department, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Pio XII Foundation, Barretos, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: fernandacrugno@hotmail.com. 2. Researcher Support Center, Learning and Research Institute, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Pio XII Foundation, Barretos, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: bsrpaiva@gmail.com. 3. Department of Clinical Oncology, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Pio XII Foundation, Barretos, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: jsnunes@hcancerbarretos.com.br. 4. Department of Clinical Oncology and Researcher Support Center, Learning and Research Institute, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Pio XII Foundation, Barretos, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: drcarlosnap@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: It is not well-known how women with advanced breast and gynecological cancers cope with the transition to palliative care (PC) only, but we anticipate that this is a challenging situation for them. OBJECTIVE: To investigate women's understanding on the reasons of anticancer treatment withdrawal, their ideas about PC, and also perceptions of the communication of bad news. METHOD: Twenty women were interviewed by a single researcher after being informed that their antineoplastic treatment would be discontinued and they would be exclusively monitored by PC staff. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed according to content analysis. RESULTS: Three categories were identified in the participants' narratives: (1) an understanding of the meaning of PC; (2) a lack of understanding of the shift in treatment and follow-up; (3) differing perspectives about hope. The PC Unit was stigmatized as a place to die, resulting in a "place to die" subcategory. The narratives of the participants who previously had experienced PC converged on a subcategory that reveals better recognition of the importance of the PC Unit as "a place that enhances the quality of life". CONCLUSION: The participants manifested little knowledge about PC and the forthcoming strategies for their clinical follow-up. In addition, the PC Unit was patently stigmatized as a place to die. Early referral to PC seems to be associated with a less painful therapeutic transition, based on more accurate knowledge of the importance of PC.
BACKGROUND: It is not well-known how women with advanced breast and gynecological cancers cope with the transition to palliative care (PC) only, but we anticipate that this is a challenging situation for them. OBJECTIVE: To investigate women's understanding on the reasons of anticancer treatment withdrawal, their ideas about PC, and also perceptions of the communication of bad news. METHOD: Twenty women were interviewed by a single researcher after being informed that their antineoplastic treatment would be discontinued and they would be exclusively monitored by PC staff. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed according to content analysis. RESULTS: Three categories were identified in the participants' narratives: (1) an understanding of the meaning of PC; (2) a lack of understanding of the shift in treatment and follow-up; (3) differing perspectives about hope. The PC Unit was stigmatized as a place to die, resulting in a "place to die" subcategory. The narratives of the participants who previously had experienced PC converged on a subcategory that reveals better recognition of the importance of the PC Unit as "a place that enhances the quality of life". CONCLUSION: The participants manifested little knowledge about PC and the forthcoming strategies for their clinical follow-up. In addition, the PC Unit was patently stigmatized as a place to die. Early referral to PC seems to be associated with a less painful therapeutic transition, based on more accurate knowledge of the importance of PC.
Authors: Talita Caroline de Oliveira Valentino; Bianca Sakamoto Ribeiro Paiva; Marco Antonio de Oliveira; David Hui; Carlos Eduardo Paiva Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2018-01-05 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Thamires Monteiro do Carmo; Bianca Sakamoto Ribeiro Paiva; Cleyton Zanardo de Oliveira; Maria Salete de Angelis Nascimento; Carlos Eduardo Paiva Journal: BMC Cancer Date: 2017-08-23 Impact factor: 4.430
Authors: Marco Bennardi; Nicola Diviani; Claudia Gamondi; Georg Stüssi; Piercarlo Saletti; Ivan Cinesi; Sara Rubinelli Journal: BMC Palliat Care Date: 2020-04-13 Impact factor: 3.234