The Stigma Experienced by Terminally Ill Patients: Evidence From a Portuguese Ethnographic Study. Issue 4 (1st October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hilário, Ana Patrícia
• Is Part Of: Journal of social work in end-of-life & palliative care. Volume 12:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 331
• Page End: 347
• Publication Date: 2016-10-01
• Subjects: End of life -- hospice -- stigma -- terminal illness; Social work with the terminally ill -- Periodicals; Social work with older people -- Periodicals; Social Work -- Periodicals; Terminal Care -- psychology -- Periodicals; Palliative Care -- psychology -- Periodicals; 362.175
• DOI: 10.1080/15524256.2016.1247770
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1552-4256

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to offer an understanding of the ways in which terminally ill patients may face discrimination due to their visibly altered body. An ethnographic approach was adopted and fieldwork was conducted over 10 months in 2 inpatient hospice units in Portugal. Participant observation was complemented by 50 in-depth interviews with terminally ill patients, family members, and hospice staff. The stigma experienced by terminally ill patients derived mostly from the behavior of peers, extended family members, and friends toward their visibly altered body. There was no evidence that these patients were discredited by their immediate family when they became visibly unwell; unlike what has been reported in previous studies. This finding could be related to the strong familial culture of Portuguese society.