To describe the meanings and self-care practices of primary health care physiotherapists who care for elderly people at the end of life in urban communes of the Metropolitan Region of Chile.
A qualitative research was carried out based on symbolic interactionism. A purposive sampling was used that included 8 urban communes of the Metropolitan Region of Chile. Members of primary health care teams working in Severe Dependency Programs, including physiotherapists, and with at least one year of experience caring for elderly people at the end of life were invited to participate. Eight virtual focus groups were conducted between August and September 2021, using a guideline that included dimensions related to meanings and practices of self-care. The focus groups were recorded in audio files and then transcribed verbatim. The data obtained were analyzed through qualitative content analysis and researcher triangulation. This study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Chile in October 2020.
This abstract focuses on data obtained from the narratives of physiotherapist.
The main results were organized into 3 categories: 1. Perceived lack of preparation to comprehensively care for an elderly person at the end of life. Adequate training would provide better tools for care and self-care. 2. The importance of talking and sharing experiences with other team members is a central aspect of self-care practices. Forming teams that accompany and support each other in difficult situations is considered fundamental. 3. Institutional and personal self-care practices. A separation is described between institutional practices - always insufficient and sometimes non-existent - and personal practices, which are linked to beliefs and lifestyles.
The self-care of physiotherapists caring for older people at the end of life is often relegated to the background, even when it is recognized that they are subjected to high levels of stress and emotional overload. The description of institutional and personal self-care practices reflects the perception that self-care is a shared responsibility.
Institutional self-care practices related to strengthening teamwork and training to care for the elderly at the end of life are considered fundamental to improve clinical practice. Caring for the elderly at the end of life requires trained physiotherapists who are capable of caring and self-care.
End-of-life care
Older people
