Cancer Patients’ Experiences of Receiving Palliative Care: A Qualitative Study
| Author | Shima Sadat Aghahosseini | en |
| Author | Hamideh Ebrahimi | en |
| Author | Maryam Rassouli | en |
| Author | Mohammad Esmaeil Akbari | en |
| Author | Maryam Karami | en |
| Author | Abbas Abbaszadeh | en |
| Author | Azam Shirinabadi Farahani | en |
| Author | Tahereh Alsadat Koubbin Khoshnazar | en |
| Issued Date | 2026-01-31 | en |
| Abstract | Background: Cancer is a major global health burden that affects patients’ physical, emotional, and social well-being. As the disease advances, many patients require palliative care to manage symptoms, reduce suffering, and improve quality of life. Understanding the experiences of cancer patients receiving palliative care is essential for strengthening patient-centered care, enhancing communication, and addressing unmet needs. Objectives: This study was conducted to explore and explain the experiences of cancer patients receiving palliative care. Methods: This qualitative study, using a content analysis approach, was conducted at Shohadaye Tajrish Hospital in Tehran in 2024. The participants included 12 cancer patients selected through purposive sampling with maximum variation. Data were collected through in-depth and semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was performed using the Lundman and Graneheim (2004) content analysis approach. Results: The mean age of the patients (6 males and 6 females) was 47.6 years. Data analysis resulted in three main themes: Existential dimensions (existential distress and fear of death, search for meaning and purpose in the face of illness, spiritual suffering and the need for inner peace), cultural dimensions (cultural beliefs about death and dying, family-centered values and collective decision-making, barriers and facilitators shaped by sociocultural norms), emotional dimensions (emotional struggles and coping with loss, family dynamics and the role of caregivers, emotional support and empathy from healthcare providers). Conclusions: The findings highlight that cancer patients receiving palliative care experience a complex interplay of existential, cultural, and emotional needs. These dimensions shape how patients cope with their illness, find meaning, and engage with care services. | en |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5812/jjcdc-166319 | en |
| Keyword | Palliative Care | en |
| Keyword | Qualitative Research | en |
| Keyword | Cancer | en |
| Publisher | Brieflands | en |
| Title | Cancer Patients’ Experiences of Receiving Palliative Care: A Qualitative Study | en |
| Type | Research Article | en |
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