Krieger MV, Barros NF. Palliative care and biomedical rationality: perspectives of palliative care providers in light of Nietzsche’s Great Health. Interface (Botucatu). 2026; 30: e250262 DOI: http://doi.org/10.1590/interface.250262
Abstract
Palliative care is organized amidst the questioning of the biomedical model of care, which is considered dehumanizing. It is currently criticized as biomedical standardization of end-of-life care, based the “good death” model. This study demonstrates that it is possible to analyze this practice drawing on Nietzsche’s notion of “great health”, advocating critical detachment from the biomedical ethos. We conducted a qualitative single case study involving 14 palliative care providers from eight different professions. The data were analyzed using discourse analysis. The results reveal discursive practices that can be framed within biomedical rationality, advocating for an approach focused on personalized care and relational and affective aspects. It is concluded that by legitimizing and providing space for the pain and suffering experienced by the people involved, palliative care professionals support the great health perspective in the delivery of palliative care.
Keywords
Palliative care; Biomedical rationality; Discursive practices; Great health
Access in: http://doi.org/10.1590/interface.250262
