INTRODUCTION: Working in palliative care units involves numerous risk factors for distress and burnout. The continuous experience of death has dramatic consequences on health workers well-being and the quality of care provided. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the inner experience of healthcare providers employed in palliative care unit, and to detect the risk and protective factors for distress. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with 19 healthcare providers of the unit of Palliative Care in the Hospital of Mede (PV) were run. Data have been analysed using RQDA software following the Grounded Theory approach. RESULTS: The main risk factors for health providers distress are the management of own emotionality and suffering (17%), conflicts with superiors, teams and family members (16%), and the management and relationship with patients and caregivers who refuse the disease (10%). Instead, the main protective factors are the support of colleagues and superiors (20%), the positive approach to their work (8%), the awareness of the value it has (4%) and the separation between professional and private life (3%). DISCUSSION: These results increase knowledge about the well-being and distress of palliative care professionals. The management of emotion and suffering caused by constant exposure to death is an important factor of distress, while support and the ability to give meaning to one's work are an effective protection factor. These findings contribute to the identification of guidelines for promoting the well-being of palliative care professionals. Steps for next research are discussed.
INTRODUZIONE: Lavorare nei reparti di cure palliative comporta numerosi fattori di rischio per distress e burnout. Il confronto continuo con la morte ha delle conseguenze sul benessere degli operatori sanitari e sulla qualità delle cure fornite. OBIETTIVO: Questo studio vuole indagare il vissuto degli operatori sanitari che lavorano in cure palliative, individuando i fattori di rischio e protezione per lo sviluppo del distress. METODOLOGIA: Sono state condotte 19 interviste semi-strutturate rivolte agli operatori sanitari dellUnità Operativa di cure palliative di Mede (PV). I dati ottenuti sono stati sviluppati tramite il software RQDA e analizzati seguendo lapproccio metodologico Grounded Theory. RISULTATI: I principali fattori di rischio per il distress sono risultati essere la gestione della propria emotività e sofferenza (17%), i conflitti con superiori, equipe e familiari (16%), e la gestione e la relazione con i pazienti e i caregivers che non accettano la malattia (10%). Tra i fattori di protezione, invece, sono stati evidenziati il supporto dei colleghi e dei superiori (20%), lapproccio positivo al proprio lavoro (8%), la consapevolezza del valore che esso ha (4%) e la separazione tra vita professionale e privata (3%). DISCUSSIONE: I risultati emersi accrescono le conoscenze circa benessere e distress degli professionisti delle cure palliative. La gestione di emotività e sofferenza provocate dalla costante esposizione alla morte rappresenta un importante fattore di distress, mentre il supporto e la capacità di dare un significato al proprio lavoro sono un efficace fattore di protezione. Tali scoperte contribuiscono all'individuazione di linee guida per la promozione del benessere dei professionisti delle cure palliative.
BENESSERE E DISTRESS DEGLI OPERATORI SANITARI NEI REPARTI DI CURE PALLIATIVE: UNO STUDIO QUALITATIVO.
PONZETTA, CATERINA
2018/2019
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Working in palliative care units involves numerous risk factors for distress and burnout. The continuous experience of death has dramatic consequences on health workers well-being and the quality of care provided. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the inner experience of healthcare providers employed in palliative care unit, and to detect the risk and protective factors for distress. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with 19 healthcare providers of the unit of Palliative Care in the Hospital of Mede (PV) were run. Data have been analysed using RQDA software following the Grounded Theory approach. RESULTS: The main risk factors for health providers distress are the management of own emotionality and suffering (17%), conflicts with superiors, teams and family members (16%), and the management and relationship with patients and caregivers who refuse the disease (10%). Instead, the main protective factors are the support of colleagues and superiors (20%), the positive approach to their work (8%), the awareness of the value it has (4%) and the separation between professional and private life (3%). DISCUSSION: These results increase knowledge about the well-being and distress of palliative care professionals. The management of emotion and suffering caused by constant exposure to death is an important factor of distress, while support and the ability to give meaning to one's work are an effective protection factor. These findings contribute to the identification of guidelines for promoting the well-being of palliative care professionals. Steps for next research are discussed.È consentito all'utente scaricare e condividere i documenti disponibili a testo pieno in UNITESI UNIPV nel rispetto della licenza Creative Commons del tipo CC BY NC ND.
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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14239/6492