Factors affecting the experience of well-being in patients in palliative home care : a literature review

Background: The development of society and the ongoing medical change have contributed to the development of palliative home care. It has become increasingly common for patients to choose to be treated palliatively at home. One of the key concepts in healthcare is the well-being, this term can be seen as a subjective concept and closely linked to quality of life. Well-being means experiencing mild suffering and being satisfied with their life situation. Healthcare professionals working in palliative home care describe several factors that they consider to be of importance to the patient's experience of well-being and good palliative care. Aim: To illuminate affecting factors of well-being in adult patients in the palliative home care. Method: This degree project has been carried out as a literature review where 13 scientific articles have been studied. The articles were analyzed by Friberg’s method and the foundations and differences regarding the patient's perception of well-being were presented in three themes. Results: Based on analysis of scientific articles, three themes were created: relationships, hope and a secure base. The perception of well-being in patients proved to be linked to factors affecting a secure base, hope and relationships. Discussion: The method was discussed based on the chosen method and the articles strengths and weaknesses. The result was discussed based on other studies in the same areas as well as Calista Roy’s adaptation model