科研之友
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摘要
Background: Parents of children with incurable cancer face difficulties in making end-of-life decisions, and thus far, little research has been conducted on the thoughts and perceptions of these parents. Purpose: The study aims to describe parental thoughts and perceptions when they hear that their child has incurable cancer. %26lt;br%26gt;Methods: Semi-structured, open-ended interviews were conducted with 23 parents who had lost children to cancer. A constant comparative content analysis was also conducted. %26lt;br%26gt;Results: Regarding parental thoughts, five categories emerged: %26quot;not allowing my child to die,%26quot; %26quot;being compelled to continue cancer-directed/life-sustaining treatment,%26quot; %26quot;wanting to put an end to my child%26apos;s suffering and wanting him/her to be comfortable,%26quot; %26quot;valuing my child%26apos;s wish and dignity,%26quot; and %26quot;wanting to be there for my child.%26quot; However, some parents did not mention all five categories. Regarding parental perceptions of their children%26apos;s condition, six categories emerged: %26quot;understanding change/deterioration of my child%26apos;s condition,%26quot; %26quot;recognition of my child%26apos;s sufferings,%26quot; %26quot;awareness of the possible death of my child,%26quot; %26quot;no recognition of my child%26apos;s impending death as reality,%26quot; %26quot;avoiding facing my child%26apos;s death,%26quot; and %26quot;realizing the truth and coming to terms with the reality of death.%26quot; %26lt;br%26gt;Conclusion: When parents were told that their child had incurable cancer, their first thought was to protect their child. Because thoughts and perceptions in such a situation vary across parents, health care professionals should support parents in realizing their thoughts and perceptions and in making decision as parents.
- 出版日期2012-3
