This study aimed to investigate the meanings presented by the multidisciplinary team and identify pleasure and suffering at work in palliative care. This qualitative research took place in a hospital unit of palliative care in the city of São Paulo. Eighteen individuals of multidisciplinary palliative care team whocassisting elderly and their families were interviewed. Data were collected through individual interviews recorded and directed by semi-structured and open questions. Data were analyzed through Minayo's thematic analysis, based on the precepts of pleasure and pain at work determined by Dejours. The reports were classified into three categories: meanings presented by the professionals related to work, divided into three subcategories: humanization; personal and professional satisfaction in the care process The second category resulting of pleasure at work featured subcategories: quality of care provided to patients and family members in palliative care; and sources of pleasure related to the multidisciplinary team. The third category, marked by suffering of the team, included the subcategories: presence of the dying process and death; the wear and tear of the patient's suffering; helplessness and the presence of conflict in the multidisciplinary palliative care team. The results of this research show the importance of pleasure in work and direct some aspects that can be reviewed with a view to overcoming suffering and the achievement of dignity to work in palliative care.
Elderly; Palliative Care; Patient Care Team; Occupational Health