Pediatric palliative medicine in Brazil: an ethical reflection of medical practice

Abstract: The ethical barriers involved in the practice of pediatric palliative medicine remain high and challenging. In terms of medical ethics, attention should be paid to culture, religion and family values, in order to promote adequate care for caregivers, even in case of loss of a patient, prom...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Rocha,Anderson de Almeida, Freitas,Lurdiano, Cesconetto,Juliana, Calhau Rebouças,Lara, Barreto Salomão,Vitória, Lopes Nunes,Rui Manuel
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:Chile
Institución:Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo
Repositorio:SciELO Chile
OAI Identifier:oai:scielo:S1726-569X2023000100039
Acceso en línea:http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1726-569X2023000100039
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:pediatric palliative care
medical ethics
medical practice
palliative medicine
Descripción
Sumario:Abstract: The ethical barriers involved in the practice of pediatric palliative medicine remain high and challenging. In terms of medical ethics, attention should be paid to culture, religion and family values, in order to promote adequate care for caregivers, even in case of loss of a patient, promoting a bereavement process with less suffering. The data were qualitatively analyzed by IRAMUTEQ software, with a high degree of significance of essay responses on ethics related to palliative care in pediatrics. Discussions about prognosis, goals of care, and treatment options can be very difficult, as legally supported palliative care alternatives may diverge from the wishes of the family. We conclude that divergences exist between the application of palliative medicine and ethics regarding acceptance and end-of-life management of pediatric patients. Ethical challenges are constantly complex situations in which palliative physicians must relate legal concepts, knowledge and family values, which often conflict. The quality of palliative care depends initially on the ability of specialized professionals to identify and explain the ethical issues that generate conflict or uncertainty, in addition to raising discussions with the family about the medical, moral and legal issues surrounding the difficult situation.