Changes in cancer patients' and caregivers' disease perceptions while receiving early palliative care: a qualitative and quantitative analysis

CONCLUSION: Overall, participants perceived EPC to be beneficial. Our findings suggest that emotional and cognitive processes centered on communication underlie the benefits experienced by participants on EPC.IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: By qualitative and quantitative analyses of the emotional and cognitive perceptions of cancer patients/caregivers about their experiences before and during EPC interventions, this study may help physicians/nurses to focus on the perception of the disease by patients/caregivers and the benefits of EPC, as a standard practice. The analysis of the type of words used by patients/caregivers provides a proxy for their psychological condition and support in tailoring an EPC intervention, based on individual needs. This study highlights that a relationship between the EPC team and patients/caregivers may rise as a therapeutic tool, allowing an increasing awareness and progressive acceptance of the idea of death.PMID:34510624 | DOI:10.1002/onco.13974
Source: The Oncologist - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Source Type: research