Towards Hope Seeking Intervention Based on Individual Experience in Palliative Care

Kim, Dal Sook

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to discuss challenges for hope seeking intervention based on individual experience (HSIBIE) in palliative care, assuming that hope is an individualized unique, subjective, and dynamic experience.
METHODS
Literature, including analysis and discussion, was reviewed to identify limitations and ways to develop HSIBIE.
RESULTS
This study identified following challenges: 1. Hope was often described and utilized as a standardized unified structure with varying attributes or mono-structure emphasizing a realistic hope, or both of them (relativism vs. monism) in one literature. This challenge is represented as a problem in conceptualization. 2. Few studies discussed various patterns of hope or individuals' unique experiences in palliative care. 3. The HSIBIE and the method for the HSIBIE have been rarely discussed.
CONCLUSION
A problem in conceptualization is often related to fixed ideas formed over a long period and used in a closed circle of scholars and professionals. Therefore, such fixed ideas should be openly challenged with fresh perspectives. The second issue requires a cross-cultural studies of various hope experiences in palliative care, which can be used for effective and appropriate HSIBIE.