LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE OF HEALTH ACADEMICS ABOUT PALLIATIVE CARE IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN SALVADOR – BAHIA

Abstract

Introduction: The increase in population aging and the higher prevalence of chronic diseases, highlights the need for palliative care and specialized professionals working on these patients' demands. Introduction: The increase in population aging and the higher prevalence of chronic diseases, highlights the need for palliative care and specialized professionals working on these patients' demands. Objective: To investigate the level of knowledge of students of health courses in higher education institutions on palliative care. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional observational study with health academics from higher education institutions in the city of Salvador-Bahia, carried out by a questionnaire, distributed in digital format to the participants. Results: Most of them said they had knowledge about palliative care, they also evidenced the feeling of helplessness towards a patient out of the possibility of cure and that they felt prepared to deal with issues related to spirituality and the patient. Conclusion: It is inferred that academics have already had contact with the term palliative care. Despite this, when asked subjectively about the concept, most of them showed a low level of understanding, according to the meaning recommended by the WHO.

Keywords: Palliative care, knowledge, students, spirituality.