Existential suffering in the day to day lives of those living with palliative care needs arising from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): a systematic integrative literature review

Background:

The impact of living with palliative care needs arising from COPD disrupts an individual’s existential situation. However, no comprehensive synthesis of existing research has been published to determine the presentation and impact of existential suffering.

Aim:

To provide a synthesis of existing evidence on existential suffering for those living with palliative care needs arising from COPD.

Design:

This is an integrative review paper, undertaken using the methodological approach developed by Soares and reported in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Data analysis was undertaking using an integrated convergent synthesis approach.

Data sources:

Nine electronic databases were searched from April 2019 to December 2019. A second search was undertaken in January 2021 to identify recently published papers meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria. No date restrictions were imposed. Only papers published in the English Language were considered for inclusion. Empirical research papers employing qualitative and/or quantitative methodologies and systematic literature reviews were included. Articles were accepted for inclusion if they discussed any component of existential suffering when living with COPD and palliative care needs.

Results:

Thirty-five papers were included within this review comprising of seven systematic reviews, 10 quantitative studies and 18 qualitative studies. The following themes relating to existential suffering were found: Liminality, Lamented Life, Loss of Personal Liberty, Life meaning and Existential isolation. The absence of life meaning, and purpose was of most importance to participants.

Conclusions:

This review suggests existential suffering is present and of significant impact within the daily lives of those living with palliative care needs arising from COPD. The absence of life meaning has the most significant impact. Further research is required to understand the essential components of an intervention to address existential suffering for this patient group, to ensure holistic palliative care delivery.