Conversations That Matter: Patient Perspectives on Conversations at End-of-Life
Date
2018-09-27
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
0000-0002-2731-884X
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
The introduction of new legislation in 2016 that allows for medical assistance in dying (MAID) has created a need for patient-centred research that seeks to understand patient needs at end-of-life. More specifically, how do patients want conversations about end-of-life care or options at end-of-life to go? This research employed the Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis methodology to gain a deep understanding of the lived experience and gain insight that will help medical professionals and policymakers develop procedures that maintain a patient focus. Through five in-depth semi-structured interviews, it became apparent that patients prefer conversations with physicians that are truthful, maintain a sense of familiarity, are rooted in humanity, and that provide comfort. When it comes to talking about MAID, patients prefer conversations that are “straight up” and take place at a time prior to any suffering or loss of dignity. Perhaps most importantly, this research was able to highlight that while non-terminally ill people may fear death, dying people only fear what they could consider to be a “bad death.” This study provides insight into patient need so that future training or learning resources are developed in a way to address and highlight what patients want. This study also demonstrates how marketing and consumer researchers can play an important role in healthcare and health policy research.
Description
Keywords
End-of-life care, palliative care, Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, health communication, health policy
Citation
Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Department
Edwards School of Business
Program
Marketing