When advanced cancer patients won’t eat: family responses
Abstract
We conducted a grounded theory study examining nutritional care experiences in advanced cancer from the perspective of patients (n = 13), families (n = 23), and health care providers (n = 11) (McClement, 2001). That work generated an inductively derived model that captured important information about adult family members' perceptions and behaviour regarding the nutritional care their terminally ill adult relative received while hospitalized on an inpatient palliative care unit, and has been reported elsewhere (McClement et al, 2003). This article provides a more detailed description of one of the major sub-processes of the model regarding family member responses to declining oral intake and weight loss in a terminally ill relative-the sub-process of 'letting nature take its course: it's best not to eat.' The strategies family members use when letting nature take its course, and the consequences of these strategies for patients, family members and health care providers are reported. Implications for practice and research are provided.
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- Authors
- McClement, S. E., & Harlos, M.
- Affiliations
- CancerCare Manitoba (CA)
- Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (CA)
- ORCID
- McClement, Susan E
- Venue
- International Journal of Palliative Nursing
- Publisher
- Mark Allen Group
- Published
- 2008-04
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 182-188
- ISSN
- 1357-6321 (ISSN-L)
- 2052-286X
- OpenAlex
- W2163925255
- Cited by
- 33
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 4 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 2 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 2.32
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Palliative Nursing (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Palliative and Oncologic Care
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Radiological and Ultrasound Technology › Family and Patient Care in Intensive Care Units
- Keywords
- advanced cancer, family responses, weight loss, palliative care, dietary management, family decision-making, dying patients, family caregivers, healthcare workers
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Attitude of Health Personnel, Attitude to Health, Canada, Empathy, Family, Female, Hospitals, University, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Models, Psychological, Neoplasms, Nursing Staff, Hospital, Palliative Care, Patient Advocacy, Surveys and Questionnaires, Nursing Methodology Research, Nutritional Support, Nurse's Role, Qualitative Research
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