Psychosocial support services provided within the scope of palliative care centers: A qualitative assessment from the eyes of employees

Psychosocial support services are crucial in the field of palliative care as a requirement of the psychosocial dimension of health. However, there is no study conducted specifically for psychosocial support services provided within the scope of palliative care in our country. This situation constitutes the starting point of the research. Based on this, the aim of the study is to examine in-depth the psychosocial support services offered to individuals with life-threatening diseases and their relatives through palliative care centers, based on the experiences of social workers and psychologists who provide these services. The study designed with qualitative research method, a total of 18 participants consisting of social workers and psychologists who provide psychosocial support within the scope of palliative care centers constituted the sample of the study. In addition to the interview technique, the data obtained through the semi-structured interview form using the e-mail data collection technique were analyzed and interpreted with the content analysis method in the light of theoretical knowledge. As a result of the obtained data, Working Experience in Palliative Care Center and Psychosocial Support Services Provided Within the Scope of Palliative Care constituted two main headings of the research findings. Most of the participants defined palliative care as "care of end-stage / terminal patients", and psychosocial support as "supporting individuals in psychological and social context". It has been understood that the lack of education causes deficiencies, confusion in professional practices and lack of self-confidence in the participants. In the results of the working systems, it was revealed that most of the participants worked through consultation in palliative care centers, which caused the participants not to have knowledge of many information about patients and their relatives, and in this respect, it negatively affected the effectiveness of their interventions. Regarding the psychosocial problems experienced by patients and their relatives during the palliative care process, it was observed that social workers were more active in bringing individuals together with the services they needed and psychologists in the psychological support dimension. It has been noticed that the participants can perform their professional practices in palliative care centers to the extent that their working systems allow. It was observed that the participants experienced many difficulties while providing services within the scope of palliative care centers. When these difficulties are classified, four subthemes emerged; procedural difficulties, difficulties regarding the characteristics and functioning of centers, occupational difficulties and difficulties regarding service users. All these difficulties appeared as factors that negatively affect the effectiveness of the services provided. In the results regarding the methods of coping with difficulties, it has been understood that meeting with higher authorities is the most used coping method. In the scope of the research it is thought that the opinions expressed by the participants regarding the content of the services, the importance of the services, the difficulties encountered in the service delivery and the points where the services need to be improved will contribute to the regulations regarding the psychosocial support services provided in palliative care centers. Key Words: Palliative care, psychosocial support services, social worker, psychologist