Health care professionals and end-of-life care during the COVID-19 pandemic

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate self-perception of anguish and low quality of life among health care professionals who cared for the dying patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine the characteristics of health care professionals and patients and end-of-life care. METHODS: An online survey that included health care professionals who cared for the dying patient from July 1 to October 31, 2020 was conducted. Low quality of life, anguish, characteristics of patients and health care professionals, and end-of-life care were recorded. Poisson regression was performed to assess the predictors of anguish and low quality of life. RESULTS: A total of 102 health care professionals, including 14 males (13.7%), with a median age of 37 years, composed of 41 physicians (40.2%), 36 physiotherapists (35.3%), and 25 nurses (24.5%) were included in this study. Self-perception of anguish occurred in 69.6% and was associated with physicians and disagreement with end-of-life care offered. Low quality of life was reported in 64.7% and was associated with not having time to talk to patients' relatives. The agreement that medical care was enough reduced self-perception of low quality of life. CONCLUSION: Self-reported anguish was more frequent in physicians and when the disagreement about end-of-life care occurred. Low quality of life was more frequent when health care professionals did not have time to talk to patients' relatives and was less frequent when health care professionals agreed that medical care was enough. Strategies should be done by health services to reduce the impact of the pandemic on health care professionals.

Matriz de competências de medicina paliativa para o geriatra / Competency framework of palliative medicine for geriatricians

INTRODUÇÃO E OBJETIVO: Apesar da grande interface entre cuidados paliativos (CPs) e geriatria, ainda não há propostas de currículos de competências de medicina paliativa (MP) para geriatra no Brasil. Diante disso, objetivou-se desenvolver uma matriz de competências de medicina paliativa para o geriatra (MCMPG), especialmente para aquele em formação. MÉTODO: A primeirafase consistiu na elaboração da matriz piloto. Para se determinar o consenso, um grupo de geriatras com certificação de área de atuação em MP de todas as regiões do país foi convidado a opinar sobre as competências elencadas na matriz piloto. Foram duas etapas (2ª e 3ª fases) de metodologia Delphi modificada para se obter o consenso (nível de concordância maior que 50 e 80%, respectivamente, na 2ª e 3ª fases). E, por fim, realizada a fase de consulta pública no XXI Congresso Brasileiro de Geriatria e Gerontologia e via site da Academia Nacional de Cuidados Paliativos. RESULTADOS: Dezenove experts em MP e Geriatria avaliaram a MCMPG. O nível de concordância de todas as áreas temáticas foi maior que o determinado, exceto a sedação paliativa (20% discordância). A MCMPG finalizou com 13 áreas temáticas, 105 competências, sendo 11 de pré­requisitos, 52 essenciais, 24 desejáveis e 18 avançadas. CONCLUSÃO: Definiu-se uma matriz de competências de CPs que pode ser integrada à educação médica, especificamente à pós-graduação em Geriatria. Propõe-se que os serviços de residência em Geriatria ofereçam, pelo menos, o treinamento das competências "essenciais", nas áreas temáticas propostas fortalecendo a educação em CPs de forma homogênea em todo o país.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Despite a great interface between palliative care (PC) and geriatrics, there are currently no curriculum proposals of palliative medicine (PM) competencies for geriatricians in Brazil. Thus, the aim was to develop a competency framework of palliative medicine for geriatricians (CFPMG), especially for those under training. METHOD: The first phase consisted of preparing a pilot framework. To reach a consensus, geriatricians with expertise in the field of PM from all Brazilian regions were invited to express their opinions on the competencies listed in the pilot framework. A modified Delphi method was used in the 2nd and 3rd phases to obtain a consensus (level of agreement greater than 50% and 80%, respectively). Finally, a public consultation phase was conducted in the 21st Brazilian Congress on Geriatrics and Gerontology, and via Brazilian National Academy of Palliative Care website. RESULTS: Nineteen experts in PM and geriatrics evaluated the CFPMG. The level of agreement in all thematic areas was greater than that required, except for palliative sedation (20% of disagreement). The CFPMG concluded with 13 thematic areas and 105 competencies, including 11 prerequisite, 52 core, 24 desirable, and 18 advanced competencies. CONCLUSION: The defined competency framework of PC may be integrated into medical education, specifically into geriatric medicine training. Our suggestion is that residency programs in geriatrics provide training at least in the core competencies from the proposed thematic areas, thereby strengthening PC education homogeneously across the country.