Health-care professionals' perspective on hope in the palliative care setting

Hope is considered a coping strategy as well as a factor that enhances quality of life for patients with advanced cancer. Most studies on the meaning of hope are from the patients' perspective. However, the health-care professionals' view is also important since it may affect their practice. This study explored the meaning of hope to patients with advanced cancer from health-care professionals' perspective. This was a qualitative study that used a hermeneutic phenomenological approach. Five focus group interviews were conducted with 23 participants including physicians, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, chaplains, and a physiotherapist working in the palliative care unit of a hospital in Hong Kong. Data analysis revealed four themes: expected hopelessness, a dynamic process of hope, hope-fostering strategies, and peace as the ultimate hope. It appears that health-care professionals' hopefulness contributes to the hopefulness of patients. Opportunities to reflect on their values, beliefs, and experience may help health-care professionals enhance their ability to foster hope in patients.