Parents' experience with a dying child with cancer in palliative care

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the descriptive qualitative study was to illuminate and analyze experience of parents with failed treatment and the death of their child suffering from cancer. The analysis was focused on how the parents perceived the treatment itself, the care of their child, the level to which they were informed as well as health care workers' attitudes during the treatment. Design: A descriptive qualitative study. Methods: A semi-structured in-depth interview was used for data collection. One married couple and three mothers whose children died from cancer were interviewed. The respondents' ages ranged between 37 and 46 years. The thematic analysis method was used to analyze the data. Results: Three basic themes were identified: Managing the treatment; The return of the disease; and Communication and support. Within the themes, eleven subthemes were identified: Activation and protection; Consequences of the treatment; Re-evaluation of decisions; Disappointment; Experimental treatment; Siblings and bone marrow donation; The conflict of perspectives; Inner Conflict; Being informed; The control of treatment; and Understanding from health care workers-emotional and instrumental aspects. Conclusion: The results of the descriptive qualitative study can help nurses and other health care workers better understand the issues from the parents' perspective and suggest options that are available to make the therapeutic communication and emotional support for suffering families better and more effective.