"Vi möter alltid människor när de mår som sämst" : en kvalitativ studie med kuratorer som arbetar inom palliativ vård.

This study aims to examine how social workers who work in palliative care manage their work emotionally. The purpose was to learn what support they receive from their management, colleagues and elements in their private life, and what strengths and weaknesses they possess that influence their ability to cope. This is a qualitative study and we have interviewed eight social workers who work therapeutically with dying patients and their families. The results of the interviews were analysed through a hermeneutic method and then compared to earlier research and interpreted through coping theory. This study’s findings support earlier research regarding palliative care being a demanding profession and that it is necessary to use different kind of strategies to cope with the emotional stress. The conclusion of the study states that the social workers think the most important support to prevent emotional fatigue is provided by their colleagues and that the most important strength they possess is experience from life and a long career.