Exploring symptom meaning: perspectives of palliative care physicians

Publication Type:
Journal Article
Citation:
Supportive Care in Cancer, 2018, 26 (8), pp. 2769 - 2784
Issue Date:
2018-08-01
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© 2018, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature. Context: Understanding patients’ symptom experiences is essential to providing effective clinical care. The discussion between patients and physicians of symptom meaning and its significance, however, is ill understood. Objectives: To investigate palliative care physicians’ understanding of symptom meaning, and their experiences of and attitudes towards the discussion of symptom meaning with patients. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted (N = 17) across Sydney, Australia. Transcripts were analysed using framework analysis. Results: Six key themes were identified: (1) definitions of symptom meaning (causal meanings, functional impact, existential impact, and cascade of meanings); (2) meanings are personal (demographic, culture, spiritual, and family differences); (3) eliciting meanings requires subtlety and trust (following the patient’s cues); discussing meaning can be (4) hard (for the patient and health professional); (5) therapeutic (assuaging fears, feeling listened to and valued, increased sense of control, and reduced symptom distress); and (6) enhances clinicians’ practice and work satisfaction (provision of more tailored care, reassurance through the provision of information, and strengthening of doctor-patient relationship). Conclusions: Exploring symptom meaning can serve to provide information, alleviate anxiety, and facilitate individualised care, but only when patients present cues or are open to discuss symptom-related concerns. However, various barriers hinder such dialogue in consultations. Greater awareness of symptom meaning and its influence may facilitate physicians exploring symptom meaning more with patients in the future.
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