“Walking a Foggy Path”: Uncertainty in the Lived Experience of Rural Caregivers Supporting a Family Member With Advanced Cancer at the End of Life
Abstract
Providing end-of-life support for a family member with advanced cancer is often accompanied by significant burden and uncertainty, yet this experience remains underexplored in rural contexts. This study aimed to explore and interpret the meaning of uncertainty among rural family caregivers providing end-of-life care for a person with advanced cancer. A Gadamerian hermeneutic approach guided the study. Qualitative interview data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings are conceptualized through the metaphor “Walking a foggy path,” comprising four themes: (1) Navigating the unknown – uncertainty due to lack of information; (2) When and where – uncertainty about the timing and place of death; (3) Letting go or holding on – the caregiving dilemma; and (4) Am I enough? – the lonely landscape of caregiving. Caregivers reported feeling unprepared and isolated, unsure when or where death would occur, while managing emotional and practical challenges. Rural isolation and limited services intensified loneliness and complexity in home-based palliative care. Specialist nurses play a key role in reducing uncertainty through guidance and support. To improve rural healthcare, policies should prioritize telehealth, specialized teams, and community-based services. Future research should develop interventions that reduce uncertainty, strengthen preparedness, and enhance the quality of rural palliative care.
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BibTeX
@article{elisabetbreivikphd2026walking,
title = {{“Walking a Foggy Path”: Uncertainty in the Lived Experience of Rural Caregivers Supporting a Family Member With Advanced Cancer at the End of Life}},
author = {Elisabet Breivik PhD, MScH, RN, RON and Bente Ervik PhD, RN, RON and Gabriele Kitzmüller PhD, RN, CNS, RGN},
journal = {Global Qualitative Nursing Research},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1177/23333936261493288},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/23333936261493288},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - “Walking a Foggy Path”: Uncertainty in the Lived Experience of Rural Caregivers Supporting a Family Member With Advanced Cancer at the End of Life
AU - Elisabet Breivik PhD, MScH, RN, RON
AU - Bente Ervik PhD, RN, RON
AU - Gabriele Kitzmüller PhD, RN, CNS, RGN
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/24
JO - Global Qualitative Nursing Research
DO - 10.1177/23333936261493288
UR - https://doi.org/10.1177/23333936261493288
AB - Providing end-of-life support for a family member with advanced cancer is often accompanied by significant burden and uncertainty, yet this experience remains underexplored in rural contexts. This study aimed to explore and interpret the meaning of uncertainty among rural family caregivers providing end-of-life care for a person with advanced cancer. A Gadamerian hermeneutic approach guided the study. Qualitative interview data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings are conceptualized through the metaphor “Walking a foggy path,” comprising four themes: (1) Navigating the unknown – uncertainty due to lack of information; (2) When and where – uncertainty about the timing and place of death; (3) Letting go or holding on – the caregiving dilemma; and (4) Am I enough? – the lonely landscape of caregiving. Caregivers reported feeling unprepared and isolated, unsure when or where death would occur, while managing emotional and practical challenges. Rural isolation and limited services intensified loneliness and complexity in home-based palliative care. Specialist nurses play a key role in reducing uncertainty through guidance and support. To improve rural healthcare, policies should prioritize telehealth, specialized teams, and community-based services. Future research should develop interventions that reduce uncertainty, strengthen preparedness, and enhance the quality of rural palliative care.
SN - 2333-3936
ER -