Core attitudes of professionals in palliative care: a qualitative study.
BACKGROUND
Self-awareness of one's own reactions towards patients and their relatives is of paramount importance for all professionals in palliative care. 'Core attitude' describes the way in which a person perceives himself and the world, and forms the basis for his actions and thoughts.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to explore what core attitude means for palliative care professionals and whether there is a specific core attitude in palliative care.


METHODS
Qualitative study with 10 face-to-face in-depth interviews with experts in palliative care (nurses, physicians, social workers, psychologists, chaplain) in Germany.


RESULTS
Core attitude in palliative care can be best described with the following three domains: 1) personal characteristics; 2) experience of care; and 3) competence in care. Authenticity is the most important characteristic of professionals, along with honesty and mindfulness. Core attitude primarily becomes apparent in the relationship with the patient. Perception and listening are key competences. The experts emphasized the universality of the core attitude in the care of ill people. They stressed the importance and relevance of teaching core attitudes in palliative care education.


CONCLUSIONS
In the field of palliative care, core attitude consists predominately of authenticity, manifests itself in relationships, and requires a high degree of perceptiveness.
Department of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, King's College London, UK. steffen@steffensimon.de
Steffen T
ST
Simon
Christina
C
Ramsenthaler
Claudia
C
Bausewein
Norbert
N
Krischke
Gerlinde
G
Geiss
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001293:Attitude to Death; D002604:Chaplaincy Service, Hospital; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008503:Medical Staff / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D024382:Professional Role / Q000523:psychology; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011586:Psychology, Clinical / Q000193:education; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires