Finding meaning in hospice palliative care : an interpretive phenomenological study

Abstract

This interpretive phenomenological study examines five caregivers’ hospice palliative care experiences. The goal of this study was to find out how hospice palliative care became meaningful to these caregivers and what that meaning was. I conducted my research using one-on-one open-ended interviews, followed by thematic analysis of the interview content. Turning to the voice of caregivers provides an opportunity for hospice palliative care providers to gain an increased understanding of how their work resonates with others. The findings in my study suggest that hospice palliative care’s tangible services were an entry point to caregivers’ connection with hospice palliative care. Despite having now used hospice palliative care services, the co-participants in my study had limited confidence in their understanding of hospice palliative care. Interestingly, at the same time, every co-participant in my study reported that hospice palliative became profoundly meaningful as emotional support for the caregiver. My thesis discusses the role of communication in how they developed that meaning and makes corresponding recommendations.

hospice palliative care, interpretative phenomenological analysis, health communication, meaning