Buckingham R W, Lack S A, Mount B M, MacLean L D, Collins J T
Can Med Assoc J. 1976 Dec 18;115(12):1211-5.
Through participant observation, questions concerning optimal care of dying patients and needs of their families were answered. A general surgical ward and a palliative care unit were the sites of observation. The observations support the belief that a palliative care unit, specifically designed to meet the known needs of dying patients and their families, is preferable to a general surgical ward. The main findings, of less concern in the palliative care unit than on the surgical ward, were the following: the importance of patient-to-patient support; the discomfort of sick-role behaviour; the impersonal and sometimes intimidating nature of patient care; the limitation of the patient's need (as a person) to give as well as to receive; and the value of families, student nurses and volunteers in total care. These findings emphasize the importance of personal interest in relieving the distress suffered by many terminally ill patients.
通过参与观察，关于临终患者的最佳护理及其家属需求的问题得到了解答。观察地点为一个普通外科病房和一个姑息治疗病房。观察结果支持了这样一种观点，即专门为满足临终患者及其家属已知需求而设计的姑息治疗病房比普通外科病房更可取。在姑息治疗病房不如在外科病房受关注的主要发现如下：患者之间相互支持的重要性；患病角色行为带来的不适；患者护理缺乏人情味且有时令人生畏的性质；患者作为个体给予和接受的需求受到限制；以及家属、实习护士和志愿者在整体护理中的价值。这些发现强调了个人关怀对于减轻许多绝症患者痛苦的重要性。
