Ideals and compromises in palliative care

Abstract

This qualitative study explores the concept of ideal palliative care as it broadens its field of application from terminal care to include people earlier in the course of an illness. Focus groups were held with palliative care professionals from community, inpatient, and hospital consultancy services to examine this issue. Palliative care professionals have clear views of what constitutes ideal care that include: establishing a relationship, setting goals, communication, acceptance, advocacy, flexibility, symptom relief, and recognising the identity of each person. There was agreement upon the nature of obstacles that prevented ideal care being achieved including obstacles created by familie..