Evidence map›Paper›PMID 31331302›Full record

ArticleBMC palliative care2019

Table in the corner: a qualitative study of life situation and perspectives of the everyday lives of oesophageal cancer patients in palliative care.

Louise Laursen, Mai Nanna Schønau, Heidi Maria Bergenholtz, Mette Siemsen, Merete Christensen, Malene Missel

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Article in BMC palliative care, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
16citing papers in PubMed, 4 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

16 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Needs and health-related quality of life domains relevant to people in Europe with advanced cancer in need of palliative care: a systematic review of qualitative research.Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation · 2026
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Louise LaursenDepartment of Palliative Care, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Mai Nanna SchønauDepartment of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Heidi Maria BergenholtzMedical and Surgical Department, Holbaek Sygehus, Denmark & The Danish Knowledge Centre for Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
Mette SiemsenDepartment of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Merete ChristensenDepartment of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Malene MisselDepartment of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark. malene.missel@regionh.dk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3267-8038

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIncurable oesophageal cancer patients are often affected by existential distress and deterioration of quality of life. Knowledge about the life situation of this patient group is important to provide relevant palliative care and support. The purpose of this study is to illuminate the ways in which incurable oesophageal cancer disrupts the patients' lives and how the patients experience and adapt to life with the disease.

methodsSeventeen patients receiving palliative care for oesophageal cancer were interviewed 1-23 months after diagnosis. The epistemological approach was inspired by phenomenology and hermeneutics, and the method of data collection, analysis and interpretation consisted of individual qualitative interviews and meaning condensation, inspired by Kvale and Brinkmann.

resultsThe study reveals how patients with incurable oesophageal cancer experience metaphorically to end up at a "table in the corner". The patients experience loss of dignity, identity and community. The study illuminated how illness and symptoms impact and control daily life and social relations, described under these subheadings: "sense of isolation"; "being in a zombie-like state"; "one day at a time"; and "at sea". Patients feel alone with the threat to their lives and everyday existence; they feel isolated due to the inhibiting symptoms of their illness, anxiety, worry and daily losses and challenges.

conclusionsThe patients' lives are turned upside down, and they experience loss of health, function and familiar, daily habits. The prominent issues for the patients are loneliness and lack of continuity. As far as their normal everyday lives, social networks and the health system are concerned, patients feel they have been banished to a "table in the corner". These patients have a particular need for healthcare professionals who are dedicated to identifying what can be done to support the patients in their everyday lives, preserve dignity and provide additional palliative care.

Indexed as

PerceptionAdaptation, PsychologicalAdultContinuity of Patient CareEsophageal NeoplasmsFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPalliative CarePatient SatisfactionQualitative ResearchQuality of LifeStress, PsychologicalHuman dignityOesophageal cancerPalliative carePatient perspectiveQualitative research

Identifiers

PMID31331302
PMCPMC6647132

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.