Attitudes of the Portuguese population towards advance directives: an online survey.

BACKGROUND: Advance directives (ADs) were implemented in Portugal in 2012. Although more than a decade has passed since Law 25/2012 came into force, Portuguese people have very low levels of adherence. In this context, this study aimed to identify and analyse the attitudes of people aged 18 or older living in Portugal towards ADs and to determine the relationships between sociodemographic variables (gender/marital status/religion/level of education/residence/whether they were a health professional/whether they had already drawn up a living will) and people's attitudes towards ADs. METHODS: An online cross-sectional analytical study was conducted using a convenience sample. For this purpose, a request (email) that publicized the link to a -form-which included sociodemographic data and the General Public Attitudes Toward Advance Care Directives (GPATACD) scale-was sent to 28 higher education institutions and 30 senior universities, covering all of mainland Portugal and the islands (Azores and Madeira). The data were collected between January and February 2023. RESULTS: A total of 950 adults from completed the online form. The lower scores (mean 1 and 2) obtained in most responses by applying the GPATACD scale show that the sample of the Portuguese population has a very positive attitude towards ADs. The data showed that women, agnostics/atheists, health professionals and those who had already made a living will had more positive attitudes (p < 0.001) towards ADs. There were no statistically significant differences in the attitudes of the Portuguese population sample towards ADs in relation to marital status, education level, and residence. CONCLUSION: The results obtained enable us to confirm that this sample of the Portuguese population has a positive attitude towards ADs. We verify that there are certain fringes of this sample with certain sociodemographic characteristics (women, agnostics/atheists, health professionals and those who had already made a living will) that have a more positive attitude towards ADs. This data could facilitate the implementation and adjustment of relevant measures, particularly in the field of health education and aimed at groups with less favourable attitudes, to increase the effectiveness of voluntary exercise of citizens' autonomy in end-of-life care planning.

Advance Directives in Portugal: A Qualitative Survey.

(1) Background: Advance directives (ADs) in Portugal have been legalized since 2012. What has been observed over time, from the few studies carried out, is that despite the positive attitudes in the population, there is a low level of adherence to ADs. To try to understand the reasons for these data, the current study aimed to explore and describe the experiences of the Portuguese population regarding AD. (2) Methods: For this exploratory and descriptive qualitative study, the researchers conducted open (unstructured) interviews with a convenience sample aged over 18 years until data saturation was achieved. (3) Results: A total of fifteen interviews were conducted-eight with women and seven with men. The following four categories emerged from the content analysis of the interviews: (1) AD literacy, (2) AD relevance, (3) AD attitudes, and (4) conditionalities for compiling the ADs. (4) Conclusions: The study pointed out the good receptivity of the participants to the ADs; however, literacy on this subject was low, and identifying the conditionalities in the development of ADs could contribute to improvements in implementation in the population. The data from this study suggest the need to implement measures to increase the literacy of the Portuguese population on ADs and review the legal framework for improving the accessibility of the citizen population. There is also a need to continue researching and obtain more evidence about the ways in which the Portuguese population perceives ADs; thus, in this way, a society can better respond to its citizens' right to freely exercise their prospective autonomy at the end of their lives.

Perceptions, Attitudes, and Knowledge toward Advance Directives: A Scoping Review.

(1) Background: Advance directives are an expression of a person's autonomy regarding end-of-life care. Several studies have shown that the level of completion in countries where advance directives are legalised is low. To better understand this phenomenon, it is important to know the perceptions, attitudes, and knowledge that the population has about this instrument. The aim of this article was to explore a population's perceptions and/or attitudes and/or knowledge toward advance directives. (2) Methods: A search was conducted in March 2023 in the ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, and PubMed databases using the following keywords: "advance care directives", "advance care planning", "perceptions", "attitudes", and "knowledge". Two hundred and twenty-four (224) articles were identified, and thirteen (13) were included for analysis. (3) Results: The selected articles point to a low level of knowledge toward advance directives: they recognise a strong positive attitude of the population toward the implementation of advance directives but a low level of achievement. (4) Conclusions: Studies on perceptions/attitudes/knowledge toward advance directives are important to understand the real needs of the population regarding this issue and to implement more adequate and effective promotion and dissemination measures.

O plano de parto como mecanismo de proteção do direito à autodeterminação da mulher em contexto obstétrico em Portugal / El pla de part com a mecanisme de protecció el dret a l'autodeterminació de la dona en context obstètric a Portugal / El plan de parto como mecanismo de proteccion el derecho a la autodeterminación de la mujer en contexto obstétrico en Portugal / The birth plan as a safeguard mechanism the right to self-determination of women in obstetric context in Portugal

A violência obstétrica constitui uma das formas de violência contra a mulhere seusdireitosà saúde, segurança, integridade físicaepsíquica, e, nos casos mais extremos, o direito à própria vida. Abordaremosa violência ocorrida no parto, através de insultos, falta de informação, desrespeito pela autonomia e autodeterminação da mulher e da violação do consentimento informado. A prática de procedimentos médicos como a episiotomia, excesso de medicação, privação de movimentos, manobras de Kristeller,entre outras, são potenciadoras de risco para a saúde e vida do próprio feto/criança. Afirmamos que a violência obstétrica é, em muitos casos, não apenas uma violência contra a mulher, mas também contra a criança. Os casos em que a criança venha a nascer com malformações ou doenças resultantes dos maus-tratos que a mãe sofreu no parto, geram responsabilidade médica. Recorremosa obras e a estudos na área do Direito, Bioética e Saúde Reprodutiva assim como, procedemos à análise exaustiva de diplomas legais internacionais e nacionais. Concluímos que a violência exercida contra a mulher no contexto obstétrico atenta frontalmente contra as leges artis medicinaee constitui uma forma de discriminação de género severa que merece censura legal por parte dosEstados e por parte da própria classe médica. Afirmamosque a episiotomia é atualmente qualificada como uma espécie de mutilação genital feminina, criminalmente punível. Defendemos que o direito a acompanhamento no parto e ao cumprimento do plano de parto elaborado pela mulher ou casal são dois mecanismos essenciais a atenuar ou a eliminar a violência obstétrica.(AU)

La violencia obstétrica es una formade violencia contra las mujeres, vulnerando derechoscomo la salud, seguridad, integridad físicaypsicológica, y, en los casos más extremos, el derecho a la vida.Abordaremos la violencia que se produce en el partoa través de insultos, falta de información, falta de respeto a la autonomía y autodeterminación de la mujer y violación del consentimiento informado. La práctica de procedimientos médicos como la episiotomía, medicación excesiva, privación de movimiento, maniobras de Kristeller, entre otros, son factores potenciales de riesgo para la salud y la vida del feto/niño. Afirmamos que la violencia obstétrica es, en muchos casos, no sólo violencia contra la mujer, sino también contra el niño. Los casos en que el niño nace con malformaciones o enfermedades resultantes del maltrato que la madre sufrió en el parto, generan responsabilidad médica. Recurrimos a trabajos en el área del Derecho, la Bioética y la Salud Reproductivay textos jurídicos internacionales y nacionales. Concluimos que este tipo deviolencia contra la mujer atenta directamente contra las leges artis medicinaey constituye una forma de grave discriminación de género que merece la censura jurídica de los Estados y de la propia profesión médica. Afirmamos que la episiotomía está calificada actualmente como un tipo de mutilación genital femenina, sancionable penalmente. Sostenemos que el derecho a estar acompañada durante el parto y a cumplir con el plan de parto elaborado por la mujer o la pareja son dos mecanismos esenciales para mitigar o eliminar la violencia obstétrica.(AU)

Obstetric violence is a form of violence against women, infringingrights such as health, safety, physical and psychological integrity, and, in the most extreme cases, the right to life. We will address violence during childbirth through insults, lack of information, lack of respect for women's autonomy and self-determination, and violation of informed consent. The practice of medical procedures such as episiotomy, excessive medication, deprivation of movement, Kristeller maneuvers, among others, are potential risk factors forthe health and life of the fetus/child. We affirm that obstetric violence is, in many cases, not only violence against the woman, but also against the child. Cases in which the child is born with malformations or diseases resulting from the mistreatment suffered by the mother during childbirth, generate medical responsibility. We refer to works in the area of Law, Bioethics and Reproductive Health and international and national legal texts. We conclude that this type of violence against women is a direct violation of leges artis medicinaeand constitutes a form of serious gender discrimination that deserves legal censure by States and the medical profession itself. We affirm that episiotomy is currently classified as a type of female genital mutilation, punishable under criminal law. We maintain that the rightto be accompanied during childbirth and to comply with the birth plan drawn up by the woman or partner are two essential mechanisms for mitigating or eliminating obstetric violence.(AU)

Carboxymethyl Cellulose, Trichloroacetic Acid, and Unna Boot for Healing Venous Ulcers: A Comparative Study of Their Efficacy and Socioeconomic Impact.

Chronic ulcers are defined as a breakdown of the long-term cutaneous barrier or frequent recurrence of breakdowns. Dressings are a form of treatment and, in view of the variety and high cost of the products on the market, three agents were selected for this investigation, regarding their efficacy and cost/benefit ratio. The objective of the investigation was to evaluate and compare the efficacy, costs, and benefits of carboxymethylcellulose in paste at 20% (CMC 20%), trichloroacetic acid at 90% (TCA 90%), and Unna boot for treatment of chronic venous ulcers. Three groups of 30 patients each were chosen randomly for ambulatory treatment with TCA 90% (G1), CMC 20% (G2), and Unna boot (G3). The evolution of the cicatricial process of each group separately and between groups was analyzed with measurement of the lesion areas in square centimeters (cm2) and observation of the amount of exudate from observation of the photographic record, until their healing, in the maximum period of 20 weeks. A significant reduction of lesion areas in all groups was observed (P=.0001), with a median reduction of 7.6 cm2 (38.1%) for G1, 3.9 cm2 (38.8%) for G2, and 16.2 cm2 (77.8%) for G3. There was a significant difference in the absolute delta of the lesion areas (P=.0001) of the groups. The three types of treatments promoted effective improvement, with acquisition and utilization of all three products in the public health services being recommended.

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross: a necessidade de uma educação para a morte / Elisabeth Kübler-Ross: the need for an education in death

A morte e o processo de morrer ainda constituem um assunto tabu na sociedade ocidental contemporânea. Ainda assistimos à negação da própria finitude, atitude que acaba por se repercutir na diminuição da atenção e do cuidado aos que se encontram na fase final da vida. Neste âmbito, a psiquiatra de origem suíça Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, cuja obra constitui objecto da presente dissertação, desperta-nos de um modo veemente para a necessidade de educarmos para a morte, contra o tabu social instituído que marca a prática da sociedade em geral e dos profissionais de saúde em particular, nos cuidados ao doente em fase terminal. Particularmente interessante é o trabalho que Kübler-Ross desenvolveu junto dos moribundos através do seminários On Death and Dying, que lhe permitiu identificar um conjunto de reacções emocionais pelas quais passa o doente em fase terminal. Simultaneamente, o trabalho com crianças em fase terminal, os workshops que realizou, as inúmeras palestras que proferiu e, ainda, o seu trabalho com doentes com SIDA que se encontravam em fases terminais, constituíram as ferramentas que contribuíram para uma desocultação da morte e uma maior sensibilização e humanização dos cuidados a prestar à pessoa no fim da vida. Objecto de inúmeras críticas, Kübler-Ross não desanimou e seguiu o seu percurso, sempre pensando que o doente em fase terminal é o nosso mestre: ao abeirarmo-nos do seu leito, aprendemos o que significa morrer. Assim, a morte, ao invés de se tornar um acontecimento terrível, será perspectivada como uma grande oportunidade de relação e humanização se acompanharmos até ao fim os que estão a morrer. Perante esta ideia, ficará patente nesta pesquisa a necessidade de, desde muito cedo, incluirmos a temática da morte no discurso social e, mais concretamente, nas práticas educativas. Só desta forma nos tornaremos capazes de encarar a morte com mais naturalidade e serenidade, contribuindo assim para que esta etapa final da vida possa ser vivenciada de uma forma menos penosa por todos aqueles que por ela forem afectados.

La mort et son processus, constituent encore un sujet tabou dans la societé occidentale contemporaine. Aussi, nous constatons une négation de notre propre fin, attitude qui engendre une diminution non seulement de l'attention mais aussi des soins administrés à ceux qui se trouvent en fin de vie. À ce sujet, la psychiatre d'origine suisse, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, dont l'oeuvre constitue l'objet de cette dissertation, nous alerte avec véhémence sur la nécessité de nous préparer à éduquer sur la mort, de façon à contrecarrer ce tabou social institutionalisé, qui affecte de façon générale le quotidien de notre société et en particulier celui des professionels de la santé, dans les soins apportés aux malades en phase terminale. L'étude menée par la psychiatre Kübler-Ross auprès des malades en phase terminale et développée dans les séminaires On Death and Dying s'avère particulièrement intéressante. En effect, elle a pu identifier différentes phases de réactions émotionnelles par lesquelles passent chaque malade en phase terminale. Parallèlement, ses recherches auprès d'enfants et malades atteints du SIDA, tous en phase terminale, la réalisation de workshops, ainsi que les nombreuses conférences qu'elle a animés ont contribué à une démystification dans les soins à apporter aux personnes en fin de vie. Malgré les nombreuses critiques, la psychiatre Kübler-Ross ne s'est pas pour autant découragée et a poursuivi son idée, à savoir, que la personne en phase terminale est notre guide: en nous approchant de son lit nous apprenons ce que signifie «mourrir¼. Ainsi la mort, au lieu d'apparaître comme un évènement terrible, sera considérée, si nous accompagnos les personnes mourants jusqu'à la fin, comme un moment privilégié pour les relations humaines. À partir de cette idée, cette étude met en évidence le besoin d'introduire, le plus tôt possible, le thème de la mort dans le discours social et, plus concrètement, dans les pratiques éducatives. C'est uniquement de cette manière que nous deviendrons alors capables d'appréhender la mort plus naturellement et sereinement, et ainsi, cette dernière étape de la vie pourra être vécue de façon moins douloureuse pour tous ceux qui en seront affectés.