A reflection on the essence of gratitude in palliative care: healing in severe disease and professional affirmation through accompanying patients until the end.

The two perspectives shared an important common fact, namely, the need to consider the persons in their entirety, and the importance of not losing sight of the value they have. This concept would characterize the nature of gratitude, its object being the 'objective good' for patients, family members, and palliative care professionals.