Participer pour rendre le travail possible. Les « staffs » en unités de soins palliatifs

Abstract

Performing a particular medical role — caring without curing — palliative care professionals are a group which makes part of the “dirty work” in hospitals its core activity. Unable to cope with it alone, but also in order to combat suffering in the workplace, doctors expect paramedical employees to participate in drawing up care programmes through multidisciplinary staff meetings. This participation changes the division of labour usually applicable in hospitals, and places additional workload on paramedics. At the same time, however, these staff meetings are an opportunity for paramedics to adopt the cultural frameworks of palliative care. Participation here is essential, because it is this that keeps palliative units running and that makes working possible.