International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences (Jan 2020)
Terminally-ill patients' prognosis information preferences in an African setting: A qualitative descriptive study
Abstract
Background: Providing patients with appropriate information about their prognoses, both satisfies and allows them to plan the rest of their lives, especially when the forecast is terrible. Knowing their prognosis information preferences is pertinent. Purpose: To describe the preferences of terminally ill patients regarding the provision of information on their disease prognosis by healthcare providers. Methodology: The study utilized a qualitative descriptive design. Data were generated from a purposively-selected sample of 15 participants using audiotaped, in-depth interviews. Data collection and analysis went on simultaneously until data saturation occurred. The qualitative descriptive approach guided the data analysis process. Results: The data suggest two themes from the findings which centered on participants' obvious needs concerning their prognosis information provision and their preferences concerning the sharing of such prognosis information. Theme 1: Prognosis information provision needs, has two subthemes - preference for knowing prognosis and fostering hope with information giving. Theme 2: Prognosis information sharing preferences, also, has two subthemes - whom to receive information and whom to provide information. The sub-themes had several elements under which the results were presented. Conclusion: The preferences of terminally ill patients regarding prognosis information varied to some extent as most of them would prefer that they and or their relatives are informed of their prognoses. Individualized/unique preferences of the terminally ill patients should be elicited and should determine what information healthcare providers communicate to them regarding their prognosis during patient care. Managing a patient's prognostic information based on the healthcare provider's assumption should be discouraged.
