The meanings of caring to take care of persons under oncological palliative care

Abstract

This research aimed to understand the meaning of being a caregiver for a person under palliative oncology care. This is a qualitative research carried out in a reference hospital in palliative oncology care in the northern region of Brazil, in which 20 main caregivers of people admitted to the Oncology Palliative Care Clinic - CCPO in an advanced stage of the disease and imminent death participated. In the responses of these interviewees, care as a donation stands out, the perception of delivery related to the act of caring and also, the desire to be with those who receive their care regardless of what may happen, including death. From an occupational point of view, investing in actions that recognize the possibility of death and dismissal, can be a favorable strategy to face this reality. The caregiver, when facing the disease, together with the person under their care, seeks physical and emotional forces to be able to deal with the difficulties, the former avoiding sharing them with the patient, even when moments of weakness, anguish and sadness are inevitable. Relationships between spirituality and occupational meaning for caring were identified, being represented as support for body and soul or as obedience to a doctrine, pointing out that religious and spiritual issues provide confidence, hope and strengthen faith.