Abstract
Background: Comfort is a basic and essential need in palliative nursing care. Patients in palliative care often experience physical, psycho-spiritual, socio-cultural, and environmental discomfort. However, comfort has not been the focus of attention of health care professionals in Indonesia. Objective: This study aimed to describe the nursing perspectives about the patient's comfort in palliative care. Methodology: This study used qualitative study in which the data collected through a focus group discussion. Results: Four themes were obtained: 1) several issues of comfort experienced by patients with advanced cancer, 2) nurses need an easy and valid instrument to assess patient's comfort, 3) approaching patients is not easy, and 4) not all of the patient's expectations can be met. Conclusion: Patients with advanced cancer experienced various comfort problems, but the nurses had difficulties to approach and assess the patient to fulfil the patients' needs. The study entails the need to develop a practical yet valid and reliable comfort assessment tool.
Original language | English |
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Journal | International Journal of Caring Sciences |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 1 |
Publication status | Published - 1 Apr 2017 |
Keywords
- Assessment instrument, Cancer patient, Comfort, Palliative care