European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

The increasing number of adult patients with advanced cancer emphasizes the importance of providing palliative care with standard oncology care. In Indonesia, the development of palliative care services is still slow and the availability of services is still limited. The complaints that often arise related to physical, psychological, social relations, self-concept, and spiritual aspects cannot be completely intervened with curative and this requires handling with an appropriate approach. The aim of study was to describe the experiences of cancer patients regarding their palliative care at hospital. The study used descriptive phenomenology following the approach of Giorgi. There were 15 participants who qualified using purposive sampling based on the inclusion criteria. The data were gathered using depth interviews. Analysis and interpretation used verbatim descriptions. The research data revealed six themes, namely: namely getting the fulfillment of minimal care needs, getting independent care education at home, having positive and negative attitudes in accepting sick conditions, getting motivation and family support in supporting recovery, feeling comfortable interacting with the palliative care team, and feel pessimistic about the palliative care services provided. The study revealed that the implementation of palliative care has not been optimal. Comprehensive care by an interdisciplinary palliative team is not yet holistic (bio-psycho-socio-spiritual) but still focuses on curative, thus it can be concluded that the fulfillment of palliative care needs is still minimal.