Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to clarify experiences related to "life and death" among terminal cancer patients receiving home palliative care.
Methods: The subjects were five patients with cancer who were receiving home palliative care and had predicted survival periods of no longer than six months. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and participant observations, and were analyzed with reference to the phenomenological psychological approach of Giorgi.
Results: Experiences related to "life and death" among terminal cancer patients receiving home palliative care consisted of "longing to live, even though they realized their limited life", "hope for a ‘natural death’ if death is inevitable", "thinking about family and others who provide support", "awareness of a being beyond the self", and "wavering between life and death".
Conclusion: This study suggested that asking questions that reflect on the patient's life and holding conversations that involved the patient's family were important for communication between patients and nurses.