BACKGROUND Gender disparities of specific symptoms and problems have frequently been observed in palliative care patients, but research rarely focused on the range of problems and needs affected by gender. METHODS We conducted semi-structured interviews with patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs) of a hospital-based palliative care unit to examine gender effects on patients' problems and needs based on systematically gathered qualitative data. Content analysis was used to identify emerging themes with data coded using MAXQDA. RESULTS Ten patients (5 female, 5 male) and 17 HCPs (12 female, 5 male) were interviewed. Seven categories of gender-specific problems and needs emerged: "physical symptoms, care and body image", "psychological symptoms and emotional response", "interaction with the palliative care team", "use of professional supportive measures", "activation of informal social networks", "decision-making", and "preservation of autonomy and identity". Both patients and HCPs felt that female patients adopt more expressive coping strategies, have stronger need for communication with and support of HCPs, and activate an extended social network for support and decision-making. Further, both groups thought that male patients mainly rely on social support from partners, have higher expectations to be cared for at home, and have higher need for preservation of autonomy. CONCLUSION Gender relevantly impacts patients' problems and needs during palliative care. Therefore, gender-sensitive palliative care that acknowledges the patient's individual situation and respective ramifications are required.

中文翻译：

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在德国姑息治疗病房中探索患者接受专业姑息治疗的问题和需求的性别维度-患者和医疗保健专业人员的观点。

背景技术在姑息治疗患者中经常观察到特定症状和问题的性别差异，但是研究很少集中在受性别影响的问题和需求的范围上。方法我们对医院的姑息治疗部门的患者和医护人员（HCP）进行了半结构化访谈，以根据系统收集的定性数据检查性别对患者问题和需求的影响。内容分析用于识别新兴主题，并使用MAXQDA编码数据。结果采访了10例患者（5例女性，5例男性）和17例HCP（12例女性，5例男性）。出现了七类针对性别的问题和需求：“身体症状，护理和身体形象”，“心理症状和情绪反应”，“