Bruno Feiteira, nurse specialist in the Oncology Centre of Hospital da Luz Póvoa de Varzim , concluded his doctorate degree in Nursing, at the School of Health Sciences and Nursing (FCSE), Portuguese Catholic University (UCP). In his thesis – entitled “The interaction of health professionals in family conference in Palliative Care” – was defended last November 4 and received the unanimous approval of the jury with distinction ( Summa Cum Laude ). “The increase in average life expectancy has been reflecting in a substantial increase of chronic and degenerative diseases, the palliative care emerging as a more and more necessary response, considering the multidimensional needs of the affected person and his family system, along the process of an uncurable and/or severe, progressive and advanced disease”, explains the nurse. It is in this context that “arises the family conference, as strategy of privileged communication”, since it enables “care focused on the affected person and family, in a structured and oriented way”. Along the thesis preparatory work and through a series of interviews, Bruno Feiteira analysed “the experiences of health professionals in the interaction with elements intervening in the family conference”, with the purpose of building “a support tool” in the decision of holding family conferences in palliative care services . Among the conclusions, we highlight: It is necessary to harmonize the holding of family conferences in the context of PC. The family conference is developed in three stages (preparatory, conference, and post-conference). The preparatory stage conditions the other two, the post-conference conditioning the process of interaction and the following family conferences. The advisors of this thesis were Maria Manuel Cerqueira (Health School of Viana do Castelo) and Margarida Vieira (UCP Porto). In the photo above , the new doctor and the jury: Sílvia Coelho (Oporto School of Nursing – ESEP), Teresa Martins (ESEP), José Almeida (vice-rector of UCP), Bruno Feiteira, Manuela Cerqueira (thesis advisor), Paulo Alves (UCP), and Ana Caramelo (School of Health, Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro University).
