Expectativas dos familiares de doentes oncológicos em fase terminal, face ao internamento numa unidade de cuidados paliativos

Abstract

Introduction: The diagnosis of cancer changes family dynamics, influencing not only the patient but also the family. As the disease progresses the patient may develop several symptoms, sometimes requiring hospitalization. The family member often has an almostexclusive role in caring and may become heavily burdened. The patient's well-being influences the family's well-being. Likewise, the problems experienced by family members are reflected in the patient, decreasing the quality of life of both. To providequality care to the patient-family binomial, it is crucial to identify the expectations of family members regarding hospitalization, so that they can feel that their needs are being understood and met. Methodology: The study will be qualitative. According to Burkett'stypology, it will be an exploratory, transversal and observational study. The data collection instrument will be a guide and the data collection will be carried out through a semi-structured interview. Subsequently, content analysis for data processing will be performed. Limitations: The data obtained are not significant for other realities; the sample is small, as the relatives of the patients who are in agony or die are eliminated from the study and the time needed to carry out the study does not allow data saturation. Purpose: Plan care according to the expectations of family members of terminally ill patients in a context of hospitalization in a Palliative Care Unit, with the aim of improving the quality of life of the patient and his family, developing a care plan focused on priorities and needs of the patient, but also of the family in this final phase of life. Expected implications: There are no expected implications. All resources will be supported by the researcher, with no external funding, only support from the Institute of Health Sciences of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa.

Date of Award	9 Sept 2021
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Patrícia Coelho (Supervisor)