Social representations of Family Health Strategy professionals regarding palliative care for older adults

Abstract

Objective To comprehend the Social Representations of nurses, physicians, and dentists working in Primary Health Care (PHC) regarding Palliative Care (PC) for older adults. Method This research was grounded in the Theory of Social Representations. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews comprising closed-ended questions (socio-demographic and professional data) and open-ended questions (Describe your understanding of Palliative Care for older adults and Explain how you provide palliative care for the older adults under your care at this unit). For data analysis and organization, the Collective Subject Discourse technique was employed. Results Regarding the question about what professionals understood about Palliative Care for older adults, four Central Ideas emerged: incurable diagnosis; biopsychosocial and humanized care for the older adult and family; quality of life; and health education. The five central ideas concerning how this care was conducted at the unit were: home visits; biopsychosocial and spiritual care for the older adult and family; activity groups; promotion of quality of life; and assistance at the moment of death. Conclusion The data obtained allowed for the identification of the social representations of PHC professionals regarding PC for older adults, as well as its implementation. The understandings of PC are closely related to those advocated by the World Health Organization, with the exception of health education, which is a principle rather than a concept. These understandings also allowed for the identification of actions by nurses, physicians, and dentists that demonstrate how they provide palliative care for older adults.