ABSTRACT
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.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Adult , Terminal Care , COVID-19 , Quality of Life , Health Personnel , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
Em 2015 a temática da morte assistida foi amplamente divulgada pela mídia após o primeiro caso legal de eutanásia ter sido realizado na Colômbia. Além disso, no mesmo ano, o suicídio assistido foi legalizado no Canadá e no estado da Califórnia, nos Estados Unidos. Atualmente, a morte assistida é permitida em quatro países da Europa Ocidental: Holanda, Bélgica, Luxemburgo e Suíça; em dois países norte-americanos: Canadá e Estados Unidos, nos estados de Oregon, Washington, Montana, Vermont e Califórnia; e na Colômbia, único representante da América do Sul. A partir de revisão sistemática da literatura, objetivou-se estabelecer a prevalência e os critérios adotados para a prática da eutanásia e do suicídio assistido em países ocidentais e discutir a posição de países onde essa prática não é reconhecida. Uma melhor compreensão do assunto mostra-se fundamental para a formação de opiniões e fomento de futuros debates.
In 2015 the issue of assisted death was widely publicized by the international media after the first legal euthanasia case was held in Colombia. Also in this same year, assisted suicide was legalized in Canada and in the state of California in the United States. Currently, assisted death is allowed in four Western European countries: Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland; two North American countries: Canada and the US, in the states of Oregon, Washington, Montana, Vermont and California; and Colombia, the sole representative in South America. From a systematic literature review, this work aims to establish the prevalence and the criteria adopted for the practice of euthanasia and assisted suicide in western countries and to discuss the position of similar countries where this practice is not recognized. A better understanding of the subject appears to be critical to the formation of opinions and the encouragement of further discussions.
En 2015, el tema de la muerte asistida fue ampliamente difundida por los medios del mundo después de que el primer caso de la eutanasia legal haya sido realizado en Colombia. También, ese año el suicidio asistido fue legalizado en Canadá y en el estado de California en Estados Unidos. Actualmente, el suicidio asistido está permitido en cuatro países de Europa occidental: Países Bajos, Bélgica, Luxemburgo y Suiza; dos países de América del Norte: Canadá y Estados Unidos, en el estado de Oregon, Washington, Montana, Vermont y California; y Colombia, único representante de América del Sur. A partir de una revisión sistemática de la literatura, se planteo como objetivo determinar la prevalencia y los criterios adoptados para la práctica de la eutanasia y el suicidio asistido en los países occidentales y discutir la posición de países similares donde no se reconoce esta práctica. Una mejor comprensión de la materia parece ser crítica para la formación de opiniones y el fomento de las futuras discusiones.