Relación enfermera paciente-familia en cuidados paliativos

Abstract

Objective To investigate the experience of professional nurses during their care of terminally ill patients. Methods Descriptive qualitative study through the method of focused ethnography. Participants: nurses from palliative care units. The study was carried out at two palliative care units, one of them in a healthcare setting and the other one in a home care setting, during the years 2004 and 2016, respectively. The data collecting techniques were participant observation and in-depth interview. The analysis technique employed was discourse analysis, in which two researchers participated. The reconstruction of the phenomenon studied arose from the categories and subcategories defined. Findings In the 2004 study, 5 central categories were identified: Awareness of death displayed by nursing professionals, Different relationships with patients-families, Nurse team performance, Personal consequences of working life and Nurses’ professional competence in palliative care. In the 2016 study, 3 main categories were identified: Accompanying the patient-family, Personal consequences of working life and Nurses’ professional competence in palliative care. Conclusions The awareness of death and emotional self-control are attributes required for a holistic care of patients and their families. There are two very different approaches to terminally ill patient care: one technical-paternalistic, and the other one holistic, springing from equality and honesty. Palliative-focused care is a source of satisfaction for patients, family, and professionals.