Cuidados en el final de la vida y estudiantes de Ciencias de la Salud: ¿binomio bien avenido?

Abstract

Aim: To know the interest shown by Heath Sciences students in relation to working with terminal and nonterminal patients, and to working in certains units with these patients. Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional, multicenter study with three groups: Medicine, Nursing, and Physiotherapy students. Inclusion criteria for students in this sample included: age over 18 years, third year of school, and signing an informed consent for participation in the study between November 2016 and March 2017. Assessed variables included: technical and emotional preparation for caring for terminal or nonterminal patients, and occupational predilection. Results: Among the 410 students in the sample self-perceived preparation for caring for terminal patients may be considered “moderate” both from a healthcare perspective, (mean, 2.15; standard deviation, 0.756) and an emotional standpoint (mean, 2.19; standard deviation, 0.827). However, for caring and emotionally approaching nonterminal patients a higher score was obtained (mean, 2.99 and 3.16, respectively). As regards job preferences, working with end-stage patients, whether terminal cancer or geriatric individuals, was the less desirable option for future healthcare professionals. Conclusion: Predilection is low for end-of-life care and management, and Health Sciences students are poorly prepared to work with these patients.