What doctors have up their sleeves : creating hope for oncology patients

Abstract

Ethnographic Study

Explored the stories of people who had been referred to palliative care services following diagnosis with a lifelimiting illness.

Themes that emerged - the need for open and honest communication about:

Diagnosis and prognosis The need for accurate information about treatment options The need for medical professionals to diagnose dying The need to have conversations about dying and the place of death