The experience of parents caring for children with incurable cancer at the end-of-life

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of parents caring for children with incurable cancer at the end-of-life. Design/Methods: This phenomenological study was designed to understand the lived experiences of parents caring for their child with incurable cancer at the end of life. Ten parents with cancer children were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling methods. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, guided by a semi-structured interview guide. Data were then analyzed using phenomenological method. Results: The findings contained three themes: confrontation with the disease and struggling with heart, wish to extend their child’s life, and perceived children’s life-limiting. Additionally, the factors influencing parents’ without using active treatments when their children at the end-of-life were: without suffering in children, respecting children’s decision-making, the prior experience of parents’ facing death, gaining full information, and counting on religion. Conclusion: The findings showed deeper understanding of the lived experiences of parents caring for children with incurable cancer at the end-of-life. The results also facilitated healthcare professionals better understanding parents’ feeing and thought when their child at the end of life. For that reason, the healthcare professionals could provide more complete information to assist parents with similar situations when caring for their very ill children. And hopefully there is no regret for children and parents at the end of life.