Formal caregivers and palliative care from the perspective of bioethics

Abstract

From the meanings attributed to palliative treatment by formal caregivers of Pouso Alegre, Minas Gerais, Brazil, this study aims to identify and understand possible gaps in the training of these professionals. The study is descriptive, exploratory and cross-sectional; sampling was intentional and followed the snowball technique. Two instruments were used to collect data: A personal and professional characterization questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. The collective subject discourse method was used to analyze the data. The social representations reported were: “care”; “Various meanings”; “Love, care, attention, dedication to the patient”; and “go beyond liking”.