The silent transition from curative to palliative treatment: a qualitative study about cancer patients’ perceptions of end-of-life discussions with oncologists

OBJECTIVE: The aims of the study were to examine patients’ experiences of end-of-life (EOL) discussions and to shed light on patients’ perceptions of the transition from curative to palliative care. METHODS: This study was based on a qualitative methodology; we conducted semi-structured interviews with advanced cancer patients admitted to the palliative care unit (PCU) of the Medical University of Vienna. Interviews were recorded digitally and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed based on thematic analysis, using the MAXQDA software. RESULTS: Twelve interviews were conducted with patients living with terminal cancer who were no longer under curative treatment. The findings revealed three themes: (1) that the medical EOL conversation contributed to the transition process from curative to palliative care, (2) that patients’ information preferences were ambivalent and modulated by defense mechanisms, and (3) that the realization and integration of medical EOL conversations into the individual’s personal frame of reference is a process that needs effort and information from different sources coming together. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study offer insight into how patients experienced their transition from curative to palliative care and into how EOL discussions are only one element within the disease trajectory. Many patients struggle with their situations. Therefore, more emphasis should be put on repeated offers to have EOL conversations and on early integration of aspects of palliative care into the overall treatment. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s00520-020-05750-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.