What is symptom meaning? A framework analysis of communication in palliative care consultations.

Estacio, CF; Butow, PN; Lovell, MR; Dong, ST; Clayton, JM

What is symptom meaning? A framework analysis of communication in palliative care consultations.

Estacio, CF Butow, PN Lovell, MR Dong, ST Clayton, JM

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Publisher:: ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Patient Educ Couns, 2017, 100, (11), pp. 2088-2094
Issue Date:: 2017-11

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Estacio, CF
dc.contributor.author	Butow, PN
dc.contributor.author	Lovell, MR
dc.contributor.author	Dong, ST
dc.contributor.author	Clayton, JM
dc.date.accessioned	2022-08-15T03:29:40Z
dc.date.available	2022-08-15T03:29:40Z
dc.date.issued	2017-11
dc.identifier.citation	Patient Educ Couns, 2017, 100, (11), pp. 2088-2094
dc.identifier.issn	0738-3991
dc.identifier.issn	1873-5134
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/160189
dc.description.abstract	OBJECTIVE: There is a limited understanding of symptom meaning and its significance to clinical practice within symptom experience literature. This study aims to qualitatively explore the ways in which symptom meanings are discussed by patients and responded to by palliative care physicians during consultations. METHODS: Framework analysis was conducted with 40 palliative care consultation transcripts. RESULTS: 55% of consultations discussed symptom meaning. Six themes regarding patients' symptom meanings emerged while four themes conveyed physicians' responses to these utterances. Key symptom meanings included symptoms representing diminished function and uncertainty about symptom cause or future. Physicians usually gave scientific medical responses concerning symptom cause and treatment, versus reassurance or empathy. CONCLUSION: This study has provided greater insight into the different symptom meanings that exist for palliative care patients. Physicians' responses highlight their reliance on medical information when patients are distressed. Future studies should explore the impact of different responses on patient outcomes, and health practitioners' views about optimal responses. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Physicians could explore symptom meanings with their patients, looking out for those identified here. Apart from information-giving and treatment, active listening to these concerns as they present in consultations may help improve the therapeutic relationship and better guide optimal care.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD
dc.relation.ispartof	Patient Educ Couns
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.pec.2017.05.006
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	11 Medical and Health Sciences, 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
dc.subject.classification	Public Health
dc.subject.mesh	Aged
dc.subject.mesh	Communication
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Male
dc.subject.mesh	Palliative Care
dc.subject.mesh	Physician-Patient Relations
dc.subject.mesh	Qualitative Research
dc.subject.mesh	Referral and Consultation
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Palliative Care
dc.subject.mesh	Communication
dc.subject.mesh	Physician-Patient Relations
dc.subject.mesh	Qualitative Research
dc.subject.mesh	Aged
dc.subject.mesh	Referral and Consultation
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Male
dc.title	What is symptom meaning? A framework analysis of communication in palliative care consultations.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	100
utslib.location.activity	Ireland
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences
utslib.for	17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/IMPACCT
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2022-08-15T03:29:39Z
pubs.issue	11
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	100
utslib.citation.issue	11

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: There is a limited understanding of symptom meaning and its significance to clinical practice within symptom experience literature. This study aims to qualitatively explore the ways in which symptom meanings are discussed by patients and responded to by palliative care physicians during consultations. METHODS: Framework analysis was conducted with 40 palliative care consultation transcripts. RESULTS: 55% of consultations discussed symptom meaning. Six themes regarding patients' symptom meanings emerged while four themes conveyed physicians' responses to these utterances. Key symptom meanings included symptoms representing diminished function and uncertainty about symptom cause or future. Physicians usually gave scientific medical responses concerning symptom cause and treatment, versus reassurance or empathy. CONCLUSION: This study has provided greater insight into the different symptom meanings that exist for palliative care patients. Physicians' responses highlight their reliance on medical information when patients are distressed. Future studies should explore the impact of different responses on patient outcomes, and health practitioners' views about optimal responses. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Physicians could explore symptom meanings with their patients, looking out for those identified here. Apart from information-giving and treatment, active listening to these concerns as they present in consultations may help improve the therapeutic relationship and better guide optimal care.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/160189