Factors for consideration for haematological cancer patients when planning for place of death: A Constructive Grounded theory study

Campbell, Karen; Stoddart, Kathleen

Abstract

Background: Planning place of death is considered’ troublesome for patients with hematological cancer. Qualitative studies have focused on health care professionals and caregivers. To date, no study has been conducted from the patient’s perspective of planning for place of death in the last year of life.
Objective: To develop an understanding of the patients with hematological cancer experience in planning place of death in the last year of life.
Method: The study used constructivist grounded theory, semi-structured interviews, a constant comparison technique, and memoing to collect and analyze data. The 21 participants were attending a UK cancer center, cancer unit, or hospice.
Results: This paper describes one core category,” Factors influencing planning for death, within the incurable hematology cancer illness trajectory through the following two sub-categories: Personal Factors - Driving away, Developing a legacy, Designing a Death Plan, Disease determines. Environment Factors - Dependent determination, Displacement of the home and Discernment of services.
Conclusion: This critical study illustrates that planning place of death is complex and multifaceted in conjunction with an unpredictable incurable illness trajectory. Implications for professional and patient care: Preferences for the place at death will change over time depending on the patients with hematological cancer experience illness trajectory experienced and the level of physical and emotional energy and independence afforded to discuss and plan.

Citation

Campbell, K., & Stoddart, K. (online). Factors for consideration for haematological cancer patients when planning for place of death: A Constructive Grounded theory study. Cancer Nursing, https://doi.org/10.1097/ncc.0000000000001402

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 1, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Oct 14, 2024
• Deposit Date: Oct 4, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 15, 2025
• Print ISSN: 0162-220X
• Electronic ISSN: 1538-9804
• Publisher: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/ncc.0000000000001402
• Keywords: last year of life, grounded theory, hematological cancer, death, dying preferences .