Towards a conceptual evaluation of transience in relation to palliative care

Area of Science:

• Palliative care research
• Concept analysis
• End-of-life studies

Background:

• Qualitative study identified a gap in understanding palliative care patient transitions.
• Current definitions of transition do not fully capture patient experiences.
• Transience emerges as a potentially more fitting concept for end-of-life care.

Observation:

• Transience is an underdeveloped concept in healthcare.
• Limited existing literature defines transience within a medical context.
• Conceptual evaluation used case examples, interviews, and literature review (1966-2006).

Findings:

• Transience describes a fragile emotional state at end-of-life, marked by sudden change, uncertainty, and a feeling of stasis.
• Key attributes include fragility, suddenness, powerlessness, impermanence, time, space, uncertainty, separation, and homelessness.
• The concept's development may be hindered by context-dependent preconditions and outcomes.

Implications:

• Transience may offer a more profound understanding of end-of-life experiences than traditional transition models.
• Further conceptual development is required to mature the concept of transience in palliative care.
• Refining transience can enhance the care and support provided to patients nearing the end of life.