Advanced cancer patients' experience and perception of advance care planning at a university teaching hospital in Northern Tanzania.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Advance care planning (ACP) is not formally implemented in Tanzanian healthcare. While the burden of non-communicable diseases continues to rise, most patients present at advanced stages of illness, highlighting the urgent need for ACP to support preference-based care.

Objectives

This study aimed to explore advanced cancer patients' experiences and perceptions of ACP at a university teaching hospital in Northern Tanzania. Findings may inform the contextual relevance and acceptability of ACP tools in low-resource settings.

Methods

This qualitative study employed individual in-depth interviews with eight patients diagnosed with advanced cancer at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre. Participants received a translated version of the Five Wishes document to re

SUBMITTER: Massawe AA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12415339 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature