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Terminal delirium: families' experience
Miki Namba1, Tatsuya Morita, Chizuru Imura
1Palliative Care Team, Seirei Mikatahara General Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan.
Palliative Medicine
|October 19, 2007
Summary
Family members of terminally ill cancer patients experiencing delirium reported diverse emotional responses and perceptions. They desired support focused on respecting the patient
Area of Science:
- Palliative Care
- Oncology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Delirium is a common, distressing complication in terminally ill cancer patients.
- The experiences and needs of family members caring for these patients are poorly understood.
- This study addresses the gap in knowledge regarding family members' perspectives on delirium in end-of-life cancer care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the lived experiences of family members whose loved ones had delirium near the end of life.
- To understand family members' emotions, perceptions of delirium, and desired support.
- To inform the development of effective care strategies for families facing terminal delirium.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving in-depth interviews with 20 bereaved family members.
- Participants were from families of cancer patients who developed delirium in the final two weeks of life.
- Content analysis of transcribed interviews was used to identify key themes.
Main Results:
- Families reported diverse patient behaviors, including discussions of past events and unfulfilled life tasks.
- Family emotions ranged from positive to negative, including distress, guilt, and helplessness.
- Perceptions of delirium varied, with some viewing it positively or as part of the dying process, while others attributed it to drugs, pain, or mental weakness.
Conclusions:
- A care strategy for terminal delirium should prioritize respecting the patient's subjective world and individuality.
- Addressing unmet physiological needs and facilitating end-of-life preparations are crucial.
- Support should aim to alleviate family burden and facilitate meaningful communication, considering the patient's changing consciousness.
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