Thirst or dry mouth in dying patients?-A qualitative study of palliative care physicians' experiences.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Thirst and dry mouth are common symptoms among patients at the end of life. In palliative care today, there is a focus on mouth care to alleviate thirst. There are no qualitative studies on thirst from a physician's experience, which is why this study is needed.

Purpose

This study aimed to explore palliative care physicians' experiences and views of thirst in patients at the end of life.

Methods

A qualitative interview study with an inductive approach was carried out. Sixteen physicians working in specialised palliative care units in Sweden were included. The interviews were analysed with a reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

The analysis resulted in three basic assumptions regarding thirst: It is dry mouth, not thirst; patients are dry in their m

SUBMITTER: Friedrichsen M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10431603 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature