Table 2.

Characteristics of Included Studies

First author, country, year	Design	Purpose of study	Data collection method	Sample, settings, sample size	Key findings	Conclusion
McGrath et al., Australia, 2013	A qualitative design	To explore the survivorship experience of adult patients diagnosed with a hematological malignancy	Open-ended interviews and focus group	"HM patients and a survivor group Cancer foundation N=50 (n = 26 male; n = 24 female)"	"Participants who know enough about the benefits of palliative care are more liable to received palliative care at their E-O-L. Many patients reported the pro lems in referral time to the palliative care services. Patients aware that they facing the death."	There is enhancement in the hematology patients' awareness about the important of palliative care. Also, there is a great role for the social worker to offer more knowledge about PC services.
Nightingale et al., UK, 2011	Case report	To identify key EOL care issues	Open-ended interview	"HM patient HMT+PCU units N=1 (acute myeloid leukaemia)"	"Demonstrates the relevance of PC team involvement Importance of discussing issues around prognosis and clinical transition; consider sequelae from curative treatment and interventions at EOL * discussion about place of death and community care"	"Initiating EOL care should be o curred in patients with HM. There is a need for improved coordination, contact, and referral process between interdisciplinary team members as well as with other hospital or community resources to Offer comprehensive care of patients with HM especially in end of life."
McGrath et al., Australia, 2002a	Case report	To address the aspects of PC among patients face dying in HM	A phenomenological approach- open-ended interview	"HM patient Public Health Department * N=1 (Mantle cell lymphoma)"	Many factors were noted as facilitator for referral to PC in appropriate time (knowledge of hospice and palliative care; appreciated honest information; rapidly changing the patient condition; fast diseases progress into terminal stage; strong acceptation of death; direct referral to PC. Many factors facilitating dying at home (offered dying at home as feasible option; it is patients wish as career understanding; career supporting patients in this option; offering of adequate support and proactive knowledge for patients.	Positive experience in for a patient with a HM at the terminal stage. Also, this study give insight on how to address the neglected palliative needs of patient with HM.
McGrath et al., Australia, 2003	Phenomenological design	To document experience of survivors of HM with spiritual issues	Open-ended interview	"HM survivors hospital at Leukemia Foundation of Queensland N=12 (n=8 male, n= 4 female)"	"Talk about spiritual issues is challenging but helpful. Patients desire to protect family. Self-autonomy to share the experience with others Close the illness experience and need time to talk about other things in life"	The study gives insight for patients with HM that hope and expectation during their experience is important to deal with this illness.
McGrath et al., Australia, 2002b	Phenomenological approach	To analyze the experiences of hospice/palliative care among individuals with HM and their families	Open-ended interview	"HM patients and their f amilies One of metropolitan hospitals N=10 "	"Feeling shocked when they hear about their illness or relapse Knowing their terminal status but they hope to cure and to have a positive attitude Feeling of experimentation. Rapid deterioration No referrals to PC system "	Lack of palliative care provided for patients being treated for HM
McGrath et al., Australia, 2002	phenomenological approach	To analyze the experience of patients with HM during palliative care treatment at end of life	open-ended interview	"HM patients and their families One of metropolitan hospitals N=10"	"High-technology curative treatments are used among HM patient at EOL that does not acknowledge dying and PC Lack of PC referrals Patients are aware that the patient is dying, understand the prognosis and desire to die at home"	Many patients' insights are addressed in the context of exploration the experience of HM patients with treatment during the last stage.
McGrath et al., Australia, 2002c	Phenomenological approach	To analyze the experience of patients with HM with palliative/hospice care at the terminal stage	Open-ended interview	"HM patients and their families one of metropolitan hospitals N=10"	"Death scene at ICU in which high technological treatments are used No referral to PC"	"Patients with HM and their families have received Limited concentration with regard to the offering palliative care."
"Boucher et al., England, 2017"	Descriptive qualitative study	To understand opportunities for palliative care interventions in patients with acute myeloid leukemia	Semi-structure interview	"High-risk patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Inpatient HM unit 22 patients (n= 10 male, n= 12 female)"	"Patient noted physical and psychological issues Uncertainty regarding their prognosis, and their sources of support. Some challenges reported by patients included feelings of helplessness/hopelessness, activity restriction, fatigue, fevers, and ambiguity regarding management decision-making"	AML patients countenance substantial issues related to physical symptoms, psychological distress, and uncertainty regarding their prognosis

Note, EOL, End of Life; AML, Acute myeloid leukemia; HMT, Hematologic Malignancy & Transplantation unit; PCU, Progressive Care Unit