Centeno Carlos, Arantzamendi María, Rodríguez Belén, Tavares Miguel
Unidad de Medicina Paliativa y Control de Síntomas, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
J Palliat Care. 2010 Autumn;26(3):167-75.
Studies on the effectiveness and efficiency of palliative care (PC) services that use a methodology similar to that used by studies in other medical specialties face serious limitations, since the goals of PC are substantially different. Qualitative research methods can make an important contribution to our understanding of the features of palliative care (PC) that are most relevant to patients and their relatives. The goal of this study was to understand the reasons behind the gratitude shown in letters from bereaved relatives sent to two PC units, one in Spain and one in Portugal. A thematic analysis of the content of the letters was independently carried out by three researchers, who later collaborated to write up the results. Relatives appeared grateful primarily for the humane attitude, professional treatment, and emotional support that their loved ones received from the PC team; they thanked the team for creating a special atmosphere and offering holistic care, and they talked about the contrast between PC and other forms of care. The unsolicited gratitude expressed in their letters constitutes a valid and particularly rich source of information about the contribution that a PC team can make.
对姑息治疗（PC）服务有效性和效率的研究，若采用与其他医学专科研究相似的方法，会面临严重局限，因为PC的目标有很大不同。定性研究方法能极大地帮助我们理解与患者及其亲属最为相关的姑息治疗（PC）特征。本研究的目的是了解西班牙和葡萄牙两个PC单位收到的丧亲亲属来信中表达感激之情的背后原因。三位研究人员独立对信件内容进行了主题分析，之后共同撰写了研究结果。亲属们主要因亲人从PC团队那里得到的人文关怀、专业治疗和情感支持而心怀感激；他们感谢团队营造了特殊氛围并提供整体护理，还谈到了PC与其他护理形式的差异。他们信件中自发表达的感激之情，构成了关于PC团队贡献的有效且特别丰富的信息来源。
