Att bevara livet vid dödlig sjukdom : Cancerdrabbade patienters upplevelse av palliativ vård i hemmet

Sammanfattning: Background: In the next thirty years, the world’s elderly population will double which will lead to an increase in patients with cancer in need of palliative care at home. There is limited knowledge about the patient’s perspective of receiving palliative care at home and with the increase of patients in need, the home is likely to become a regular environment for care. It is therefore crucial that we know what aspects of care the patients perceive as contributing to their quality of life. Aim: In this study authors explored and identified the experiences of patients with cancer receiving palliative care at home. Method: This study was based on a qualitative literature study with Friberg’s (2017a) five-step analysis of ten scientific articles. Literature research was done in the databases Cinahl, PsycInfo and Pubmed. Results: Two major themes emerged; home as an environment of care and the nurses’ professional care. The patient experienced their home as a caring and familiar environment anda facilitator of life together with their close relatives and freedom to live as they choose. The nurse was also key in fulfilling the patient’s’ wishes with her competence in professional care and cooperation with close relatives. Conclusion: This study found that to achieve well-being and quality of life in a patients’ last time of their life it is important that the nurse sees the entire person together with close relatives.