Challenges in end-of-life and death care management in Portuguese residential care facilities: A qualitative study.

AbstractBackgroundObjectiveMethodsResultsConclusionsStructural, organizational, and relational challenges continue to limit the quality of end-of-life care delivered in Residential Care Facilities (RCFs).To explore the main barriers and constraints experienced by healthcare professionals in providin...

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Publicado en:Death Studies pp. 1 - 8
Autores principales: do Nascimento, Cristiana, Santos, Paula, Cerqueira, Margarida
Formato: Journal Article
Publicado: Taylor & Francis Ltd Feb2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      issn: 07481187
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      dt: Feb2026
      pid: 377
      pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd
      place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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        191555656
        10.1080/07481187.2026.2628741
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        atl: Challenges in end-of-life and death care management in Portuguese residential care facilities: A qualitative study.
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          do Nascimento, Cristiana
          Santos, Paula
          Cerqueira, Margarida
        affil: Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro
      sug:
      ab: AbstractBackgroundObjectiveMethodsResultsConclusionsStructural, organizational, and relational challenges continue to limit the quality of end-of-life care delivered in Residential Care Facilities (RCFs).To explore the main barriers and constraints experienced by healthcare professionals in providing end-of-life care in Portuguese RCFs.A qualitative exploratory descriptive study was conducted using an online focus group with eight healthcare professionals (physicians, nurses, and a physiotherapist) with clinical experience in RCFs and advanced training in palliative care. Data were analyzed thematically following Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework, supported by webQDA software.Five interrelated themes were identified: (1) organizational and internal communication weaknesses; (2) structural and technical limitations; (3) lack of protocols and early planning; (4) limitations in coordination with external teams; and (5) cultural and emotional barriers related to death.Findings indicate that improving end-of-life care in RCFs requires prioritizing actionable institutional strategies, including clear protocols, early care planning, staff education in generalist end-of-life care, and structured collaboration with external palliative care teams for complex cases. Longer-term efforts are also needed to address cultural taboos surrounding death and to support professionals’ emotional well-being.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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