Patterns of Suffering in Palliative Care

A Descriptive Study

Bibliographic Data

ID13629506
AuthorsTan Seng Beng (0000-0002-0649-0739, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, corresponding author), Tan Ting Ting (Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Malathi Karupiah (Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Cheah Xin Ni (Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Hong Li Li (Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Chong Guan Ng (0000-0003-1755-9188, University of Malaya), Ng Chong Guan (Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Loh Ee Chin (Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Lam Chee Loong (Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Tan Maw Pin (Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Maw Pin Tan (0000-0002-3400-8540, University Malaya Medical Centre)
Year2020
Volume84
Issue2
Pages512-524
Publication date2020-02-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueOMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0030-2228 • E-ISSN: 1541-3764
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0030222820903221
PMID32019387
OpenAlexW3004585611
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited27

Suffering experiences are common phenomena in palliative care. In this study, we aim to explore the different patterns of suffering in palliative care. Adult palliative care patients were recruited from the University of Malaya Medical Centre. Suffering scores were charted 3 times a day for a week. The characteristics of the suffering charts were analyzed using SPSS. The patterns of suffering were analyzed using structural pattern recognition. A total of 53 patients participated. The overall trends of suffering were downward (64%), upward (19%), and stable (17%). Median minimum and maximum suffering scores were 2/10 and 6/10, with an average of 3.6/10. Nine patterns of suffering were recognized from categorizing two key characteristics of suffering (intensity and fluctuation)-named S1 to S9. Understanding the different patterns of suffering may lead to better suffering management

Descriptive statistics · Palliative care · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Medicine · Nursing · Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues · Patient Dignity and Privacy · Psychology

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