Exploring hope and expectations amidst the shadows: Navigating through the hearts of cancer patients admitted to a palliative care unit

Sep 23, 2026

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In-depth qualitative research explores the psychological well-being, hope, and expectations of cancer patients treated in a palliative care unit. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) is used, based on 1-hour semi-structured interviews and investigator triangulation to support rigor. Findings show that understanding hope and expectations signals care quality and guides providers in meeting patients’ needs. Three superordinate themes emerge: cancer diagnosis and emotional spectrum, hope and the cancer patient, and expectations of palliative care.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Significance of results

Introduction

Palliative and Supportive Care [cambridge.org/pax](cambridge.org/pax) Original Article Cite this article: Nikoloudi M, Thanasko F, Tsatsou I, Mantoudi A, Mystakidou K (2025) Exploring hope and expectations amidst the shadows: Navigating through the hearts of cancer patients admitted to a palliative care unit. Palliative and Supportive Care 23, e26, 1–8. [https://doi.org/10.1017/](https://doi.org/10.1017/)[ ](https://doi.org/10.1017/)S1478951524002165 Received: 14 October 2024 Revised: 22 November 2024 Accepted: 14 December 2024 Keywords: Cancer; expectations from a palliative care unit; hope; interpretative phenomenological analysis; holistic care Corresponding author: Kyriaki Mystakidou; [Email:](Email: mistakidou@yahoo.com)[ mistakidou@yahoo.com](Email: mistakidou@yahoo.com) © The Author(s), 2025 . Published by Cambridge University Press. This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence ([http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution and reproduction, provided the original article is properly cited. Exploring hope and expectations amidst the shadows: Navigating through the hearts of cancer patients admitted to a palliative care unit Maria Nikoloudi, M. D., M.SC., PH. D.1 , Florian Thanasko, PH. D.2 , Ioanna Tsatsou, R. N., M.SC., PH. D.3 , Alexandra Mantoudi, PH. D.4 and Kyriaki Mystakidou, M. D., PH. D.1 1 Pain Relief and Palliative Care Unit, Department of Radiology, Aretaieion Hospital, School of Medicine, 2 National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; School of Medicine, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; 3 Department of Oncology, Hellenic Airforce General Hospital, Athens, 4 Greece and Department of Nursing, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece Abstract Objectives. The objective of this study is to conduct an in-depth exploration of the psychological well-being, hope, and expectations of cancer patients receiving care in a palliative care unit, utilizing a qualitative research approach. Methods. We employed the methodology of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) . Our data collection involved conducting 1-hour semi-structured interviews with the patients. In the subsequent data analysis, we applied investigator triangulation to ensure rigor and reliability. Results. Understanding patients’ hope and expectations from palliative care is crucial as it can serve as an indicator of the quality of care and motivate care providers to fulfill these expectations as much as possible. Throughout the IPA, 3 superordinate themes emerged from the qualitative data: cancer diagnosis and the spectrum of emotions, hope and cancer patient, and oncology patient expectations of palliative care. Significance of results. From the patient’s perspective, making sense of their cancer experience involves managing symptoms, redefining their understanding of illness, adapting to functional changes, and fostering open communication among themselves, their families, physicians, and the palliative care team. This underscores the crucial necessity for an interdisciplinary approach and emphasizes the importance of reinforcing positive support systems. In essence, our study delves into the multifaceted psychological aspects of cancer patients in the context of palliative care, shedding light on their hope and expectations as they navigate the challenging terrain of cancer treatment and palliative support. Introduction After 60 years since the renowned psychiatrist Karl Menninger (1969) challenged the scientific community to recognize hope as a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of clinical practice, its significance continues to warrant greater acknowledgment from health-care professionals. Hope has been positively associated with health and plays a significant role in managing illness and the losse

FAQs

What is the main objective of the study?

The study aims to explore the psychological well-being, hope, and expectations of cancer patients receiving care in a palliative care unit.

What research method was used to analyze the data?

The researchers used interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) based on 1-hour semi-structured interviews and applied investigator triangulation for rigor and reliability.

What did the study identify about patients’ hopes and expectations?

Understanding patients’ hope and expectations is crucial because it reflects care quality and motivates care providers to fulfill patients’ expectations; three major themes emerged from the qualitative data.

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by moss~