ABSTRACT
Objective
To know the experience of health workers who are coping with having a relative in palliative care for cancer.
Methodology
A qualitative study conducted with four family members of cancer patients in palliative care. Data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews from November to December, 2014, at the home of the participants. The data were analysed using the operative proposal of Minayo.
Results
Two themes emerged, Health worker and family member coping with a cancer diagnosis and Health worker and family member coping with the proximity of death.
Conclusions
Being a family member and a health professional at the same time demanded greater involvement in care and caused distress since these workers witnessed the suffering of a family member with a terminal disease. However, their professional knowledge supported decision-making during the care process.
Palliative care; Medical oncology; Family