Palliative care for patients and family: perceptions and meanings from the perspective of nursing

Abstract

Given the progressive aging of the population associated with a greater prevalence of chronic degenerative diseases, it is essential to implement a care model that encompasses the entire process of death and dying. This study aimed to understand the perceptions and meanings of nursing professionals in assisting patients and families in palliative care. This is a descriptive research, with a qualitative approach, developed in the Intensive and Semi-Intensive Care Units of a university hospital, with the participation of 13 nursing professionals. After thematic Content Analysis, four categories emerged: Assistance that promotes dignity and comfort to those who suffer; Humanized and multidisciplinary care: recognition of beliefs and values ​​of the person being cared for; Challenges in providing palliative care to patients and families and the death process permeated by professional maturity and understanding of the naturalness of death. The professionals presented a satisfactory understanding of the concept of palliative care. Obstacles are highlighted such as lack of interdisciplinarity, decisions centered on the medical team, deficit in professional training, service overload, communication failures and lack of institutional protocol.