Abstract
Purpose: To clarify the actual consultation support provided by oncology certified nurse specialists at cancer counseling support centers to advanced cancer patients and their families when choosing the place of end of life care at the time of treatment discontinuation.
Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 specialist cancer nurses with more than five years of experience as specialist nurses and more than one year of consultation support experience, and the data were qualitatively analyzed.
Results: The actual consultation support provided by specialist cancer nurses consisted of the following: Inferring the complex nature of and true feelings of patients and their families regarding the discontinuation of cancer treatment; predicting possible future symptoms and time remaining from pathological conditions and ADL; helping patients and their families understand the current situation; bridging perception divides between the people involved with the patient; accepting feelings and prioritizing psychological well-being over providing information; respecting the patient’s way of life and strength, and confirming their intentions about how to spend the time available to them; formulating strategies while considering the effects of consultation support for patients and families and the maximum functionality of team medical care; and supporting patients and families based on the beliefs and ethical values of a specialist cancer nurse.
Discussion and Conclusions: Specialist cancer nurses helped cancer patients face their prognosis and make decisions about how to spend the time available to them while predicting their remaining time. Based on the best possible QOL of the patient and family, it was suggested that the final medical treatment support system should be adjusted in a way which respects the patient's decision-making from the projected time remaining as a means of support for the patient to live their remaining days with a sense of conviction.
