The Psychosocial impact of food and nutrition on hospitalised oncological palliative care patients and their carers

Abstract

Food provides more than simply a nurturing of physiological requirements; it encompasses social and emotional aspects that together can create an enjoyable experience. That however, is often altered at the end of life. Currently little is known about the psychosocial impact of food and nutrition in cancer patients admitted to the palliative care unit for end of life care.«br /» «br /» «strong»Aim:«/strong» This thesis investigates the lived experience of patients, carers and health care workers dealing with the changes in food intake of terminal cancer patients in the palliative care unit of a Sydney hospital. The meaning of food at this time in one’s life will also be determined.«br /» «br /» «strong»Method:«/strong» Nineteen patients, 14 nurses, 10 carers, seven medical officers, and four food service officers participated in phenomenologically informed interviews and focus groups investigating food and nutrition at the end of life. «br /» «br /» «strong»Results:«/strong» Themes and sub-themes were derived from the data of each participant group along with overarching themes common across groups. The meaning of food was derived using Max Van Manen’s approach to phenomenological analysis. The three meanings identified were that food means life, food is a demonstration of love and food acts as a social glue bringing people together to partake in a shared experience.«br /» «br /» As one’s intake declines at the end of life, significant changes often occur in the relationship between patient and carer as conflict and tension over food divide the two parties. While many patients and carers express the desire to fight for life, participant groups used various strategies to prolong life.«br /» «br /» «strong»Conclusion:«/strong» Because of its psychosocial impact, food continues to be of high importance in the terminal phase of life.«br /» «br /» Thus clinicians should address the role and concerns of patients and carers around food and nutrition in the last weeks of life because these significantly impact the quality of life of people dying of cancer, along with the harmony in their relationships with loved ones. «div» «div» «div» «/div» «/div» «/div»