Psychosocial Issues and Experiences of Advanced Stage Lung Cancer Patients Receiving Palliative Care: A Qualitative Study.
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BACKGROUND: A thorough examination of psychosocial problems and individual patient experiences could contribute to a better understanding of the needs of advanced stage lung cancer patients and the development of personalized care models. METHODS: This qualitative study investigates the psychosocial issues and end-of-life coping strategies experienced by advanced-stage lung cancer patients receiving palliative care at a family health center in Istanbul, Turkey, between January and October 2024. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 58.50 ± 14.37 years, and the average duration of diagnosis was 2.156 ± 1.439 years. Most of the patients reported feeling anxiety and fear when they received the diagnosis. They expressed concerns about the impact of the illness on their children, family, and future. Despite the initial anxiety and fears, most palliative care patients with advanced-stage lung cancer eventually accepted their illness and adapted over time. However, the duration of this adaptation and acceptance varied, and it was observed that in many cases, this acceptance was expressed as something that had to be done out of necessity. All patients had at least three symptoms, with the five most common symptoms being, in order: weakness/fatigue, severe cough, shortness of breath, pain, and weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: While patients emphasized the importance of family support in the coping process, it was observed that issues such as fear of stigma, economic difficulties, and loneliness complicate this process. Feelings of regret and guilt related to a history of smoking were found to be widespread, and these emotions were found to influence the patients' coping and confrontation processes.