Living on borrowed time: experiences in palliative care.

Objective: To gain insight into the experiences of a palliative care patient and her husband who were living on borrowed time.

Methods: A qualitative single case design was used. Systematic content analysis of the interview data, obtained in an in-depth semi-structured interview, from the husband and wife was conducted to extract themes relating to living on borrowed time.

Results: Three themes were identified: shifts in the interpretation of physical signs and symptoms, altered view of the future and altered choices and priorities.

Conclusion: The identified themes lead to a better understanding of the phenomenon of living on borrowed time. Yet, refinement of, and variation within the themes still need to be studied in order to get more grips on the themes and to be better able to help patients to integrate the 'new reality'.

Practice Implications: Our findings can be used to support professionals in the practical application of care when their patients need to integrate the 'new reality' and seek new equilibrium, e.g. converted into a conversational guide, or used for educational purposes.