Palliative Care for Health Professionals: Advances and Difficulties

Abstract

This exploratory and qualitative research analyzed the discourses on palliative care of 23 health professionals working in a hospital specialized in oncology treatment. Data collected by a questionnaire and a semi-structured interview were analyzed by using the enunciation technique. The results describe the meanings of palliative care for health professionals; the actions developed; the difficulties in the assistance to cancer patients in palliative care; and the limitations of the professional training to work in this field. The conclusions demonstrate an evolution in the professionals’ knowledge of the subject, the fragility of the professional training to work in this area, and the need for more investments to qualify professionals who assist patients in palliation. Regarding the terminality and quality of death, all professionals reported the lack of discussion during academic training. The professionals call for the creation of a palliative care specialized team for offering this care and training other support professionals, as an essential condition for quality and humanized care.

Keywords:
Palliative care; Terminal stage; Health professionals; Oncology; Professional training