In the shadow of death: existential and spiritual concerns among persons receiving palliative care.

• Main Authors: Asgeirsdottir, Gudlaug Helga, Sigurbjörnsson, Einar, Traustadottir, Rannveig, Sigurdardottir, Valgerdur, Gunnarsdottir, Sigridur, Kelly, Ewan
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: CA SAGE Publications 2015
• Subjects: Líknarmeðferð; Krabbamein; Adaptation; Psychological; Adult; Aged; Anecdotes as Topic; Attitude to Death; Female; Humans; Iceland; Interview; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Palliative Care; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Religion and Psychology; Spirituality; Young Adult
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2336/550443

This study explores existential and spiritual concerns from the perspective of people receiving palliative care. It examines the meaning of these concerns, their influence on people's lives and investigates the connections between them. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with ten persons. Findings reveal existential and spiritual aspects as interconnected and an integral part of the participants' everyday existence. It concludes with a call for a better understanding of these phenomena in the palliative care context.