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Cited by 405Palliative and Oncologic CarePalliative Care and End-of-Life IssuesReligion, Spirituality, and Psychology

Existential Suffering in the Palliative Care Setting: An Integrated Literature Review

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Boston, Patricia, Bruce, Anne, Schreiber, Rita·2011·Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
DOI 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2010.05.010
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Abstract

Context Existential and spiritual concerns in relation to palliative end-of-life care have received increasing attention over the past decade.Objectives To review the literature specifically related to existential suffering in palliative care in terms of the significance of existential suffering in end-of-life care, definitions, conceptual frameworks, and interventions.Methods A systematic approach was undertaken with the aim of identifying emerging themes in the literature. Databases using CINAHL (1980-2009), MEDLINE (1970-2009), and PsychINFO (1980-2009) and the search engine of Google Scholar were searched under the key words existential suffering, existential distress, existential pain, palliative and end of life care.Results The search yielded a total of 156 articles; 32% were peer-reviewed empirical research articles, 28% were peer-reviewed theoretical articles, and 14% were reviews or opinion-based articles. After manually searching bibliographies and related reference lists, 64 articles were considered relevant and are discussed in this review. Overall analysis identifies knowledge of the following: 1) emerging themes related to existential suffering, 2) critical review of those identified themes, 3) current gaps in the research literature, and 4) recommendations for future research. Findings from this comprehensive review reveal that existential suffering and deep personal anguish at the end of life are some of the most debilitating conditions that occur in patients who are dying, and yet the way such suffering is treated in the last days is not well understood.Conclusion Given the broad range of definitions attributed to existential suffering, palliative care clinicians may need to be mindful of their own choices and consider treatment options from a critical perspective.

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Research works printed but not linked: 15

  1. Kristjanson L. Generic versus specific palliative care: caring for all Canadians. Paper presented at the Invitational Symposium on Palliative Care. Pro- vincial and Territorial Trends and Issues in Commu- nity Based Programming, March 23e24, 1997.
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  3. Cohen SR, Leis A. What determines quality of life for terminally ill patients from their own per- spective? J Palliat Care 2002;18:48e58.
  4. Boston PH, Mount BM. The caregivers' perspec- tive on existential and spiritual distress in palliative care. J Pain Symptom Manage 2006;32:13e26.
  5. Hirai K, Morita T, Kashiwagi T. Professionally per- ceived effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for existential suffering. Palliat Med 2003;17:688e694.
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  9. Frankl VE. Man's search for ultimate meaning. New York: Plenum Press, 1997.
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  13. Ekedahl M, Wengstrom Y. Nurses in cancer caredstress when encountering existential issues. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2007;11:228e237.
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Authors
Boston, P., Bruce, A., & Schreiber, R.
Affiliations
  • University of British Columbia (CA)
  • University of Victoria (CA)
Corresponding author
Boston, Patricia
ORCID
Bruce, Anne
Venue
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2011-03
Volume
41
Issue
3
Pages
604-618
ISSN
0885-3924 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2010.05.010
OpenAlex
W2145853206
Cited by
405
References
97
Citations by year
2026: 37 · 2025: 38 · 2024: 40 · 2023: 28 · 2022: 34 · 2021: 40 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 24 · 2018: 33 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 22 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 12
FWCI
1.53
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Pain and Symptom Management (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Hsu Hsieh Foundation
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Palliative and Oncologic Care
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues
  • Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
Keywords
existential suffering, palliative care, end-of-life care, dying patients, spiritual problems, conceptual framework
MeSH terms
Humans, Palliative Care, Research Design, Stress, Psychological, Terminal Care, Spirituality, Pain Management

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