Nursing care in tuberculosis patients at a Spanish sanatorium, 1943-1975.

Paola Galbany-Estragués

doi:10.1590/0104-1169.3206.2440

Abstract

Objectives the objective in this study is to identify the profile of the nursing staff, the work conditions and to describe nursing care at a sanatorium located in Barcelona, Spain between 1943 and 1975. Method historical study undertaken between 2008 and 2010, based on oral sources, five direct and one indirect testimonies, and the analysis of written documents. The data from the testimonies were collected through semistructured interviews. Results the nursing staff, mostly religious women, had scarce material and economic resources and no preventive measures to take care of the ill. The nurses undertook activities centered on the basic needs for physical and spiritual wellbeing. Conclusion The study reveals how the nurses, despite working in hostile conditions, attempted to safeguard the wellbeing of the patients and accompany them during the death process.

Highlights

Between the mid-19th and the mid-20th century, one of the most effective measures that existed to treat tuberculosis (Tb) was the patients’ confinement in sanatoria(1)
A nurse from the current Hospital, who had been working as an auxiliary during the 1970’s (A1), was the participant who originated the chain sampling; the initial contact with her was by telephone
Evidence was found of only one man who worked as nursing staff and held the degree(23)

Summary

Introduction

Between the mid-19th and the mid-20th century, one of the most effective measures that existed to treat tuberculosis (Tb) was the patients’ confinement in sanatoria(1). The sanatoria were private centers with characteristics similar to luxury hotels, but later, in Europe and other parts of the world, public sanatoria were created to attend to poor tuberculosis patients(2-3). In the 19th century, the social class this disease most affected were the young workers from the industrial period who were victims of the hard living conditions(1). To fight against the disease, countries from Latin America, Europe and the United States applied political public health measures and similar medical practices(3). Instead of improving the workers’ living conditions, the campaigns against Tb centered on trying to educate the population and holding the patients responsible for their disease(4)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion