title: Living with the dying: use of the technique of participant observation.
abstract: 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.
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001293:Attitude to Death; D035841:Behavioral Research; D001887:Boredom; D003142:Communication; D005190:Family; D005239:Fear; D005639:Frustration; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010166:Palliative Care; D010361:Patients; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012380:Role; D012381:Role Playing; D012803:Sick Role; D013727:Terminal Care