Loading...
Publication
Looking after myself while caring for others: A pilot study on self-care in psychologists working in palliative care
| Name: | Description: | Size: | Format: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 243.64 KB | Adobe PDF |
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
The risks inherent to being a doctor or a nurse in palliative care are well known. Since
palliative care is a context in which professionals are exposed to specific risks and
challenges, self-care is important to promote a better practice and prevent burnout.
However, little research has been conducted to determine the impact palliative care
setting has in clinical psychologists. It is necessary to explore the influence this work
has on the well-being of psychologists, and the relevance they attribute to self-care. This qualitative study explores the experiences of clinical psychologists working in
palliative care in order to understand the various aspects related to their self-care.
Eleven Portuguese psychologists working in palliative care participated in
semi-structured interviews. A thematic analysis was performed, and three main domains
emerged: (1) working in palliative care and its impact; (2) self-care: how, what for and
why not more; and (3) self-care learning. The findings suggest that being a psychologist
in this setting has risks, as being exposed to human suffering, but also has existential
positive benefits that allow them to seize their own lives and understand the strengths of
humankind. Self-care practices are perceived as improving professional performance
and contribute to the well-being of the psychologist. Also, participants recognized some
barriers to self-care that seem to be related to the little access to self-care information
during their training. This research allows an understanding of self-care practices and
gives relevance to this topic within palliative care psychologists
Description
Keywords
Self-care Clinical psychologists Palliative care Well-being Strategies Autocuidado Psicólogos clínicos Cuidados paliativos Bienestar Estrategias
Citation
Santos e Sousa, D., Nunes da Silva, A., & Dias Neto, D. (2024). Looking after myself while caring for others: A pilot study on self-care in psychologists working in palliative care. Interdisciplinaria: Revista de Psicología y Ciencias Afines, 41(1), 675–704. https://doi.org/10.16888/interd.2024.41.1.20
Publisher
Centro Interamericano de Investigaciones Psicologicas y Ciencias Afines