Introduction: Average life expectancy has been increasing significantly in most countries, reflecting on more and more elderly inmates suffering from incurable diseases with palliative needs. Portugal centralized health care for these prisoners in a single prison hospital. It is intended to contribute to a better clarification of the validity of this solution through the qualitative analysis of interviews with several professionals of this establishment, trying to assess, based on their perceptions and experiences, what barriers and facilitators exist, and what solutions are proposed. Methodology: Qualitative study, where seventeen semi-structured, individual interviews were carried out with a heterogeneous sample of the different professions involved in the care of inmates with palliative needs, including members of the medical, nursing, monitoring and security teams. Results: The interviewees identified excessive bureaucracy and inefficient communication with external systems, namely with the public health service and courts, as the main barriers to palliative care practice. Some limitations of space and other resources, conditioned access to patients, especially at night and poor training in this area, especially in the security team, were also mentioned. On the other hand, the interviewees consider that there are excellent physical conditions, including diagnostic equipment, ease of access to dietary supplements, orthopedic and playful equipment. They recommend investing in better integration between the various government areas involved and seriously investing in more training. They also consider it necessary to clarify the current situation of PC to the general population. Conclusions: In general, the PC provided to prisoners in Portugal are of quality, aligned with the philosophy accepted in the area. Possible lack of resources can be easily resolved, but to overcome the most complex barriers it is necessary to effort and coordinate various external entities, such as the Ministries of Health and Justice. It is also essential to invest seriously in the training of these professionals.
Date of Award | 11 Jan 2023 |
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Original language | Portuguese |
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Awarding Institution | - Universidade Católica Portuguesa
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Supervisor | Manuel Luís Capelas (Supervisor) |
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- Palliative care
- End of life
- Inmates
- Health professionals
- Stakeholders
- Prisons
- Mestrado em Cuidados Paliativos
Experiências e percepções dos stakeholders sobre a prestação de cuidados paliativos e de fim de vida nas prisões portuguesas: um estudo qualitativo
Justino, F. M. D. (Student). 11 Jan 2023
Student thesis: Master's Thesis