Scoping review of anticancer drug utilization in lung cancer patients at the end of life.

PURPOSE: This scoping review aims to deepen the understanding of end-of-life anticancer drug use in lung cancer patients, a disease marked by high mortality and symptom burden. Insight into unique end-of-life treatment patterns is crucial for improving the appropriateness of cancer care for these patients. METHODS: Comprehensive searches were carried out in Medline and Embase to find articles on the utilization of anticancer drugs in the end of life of lung cancer patients. RESULTS: We identified 68 publications, highlighting the methodological characteristics of studies including the timing of the research, disease condition, treatment regimen, type of treatment, and features of the treatment. We outlined the frequency of anticancer drug use throughout different end-of-life periods. CONCLUSION: This review provides a comprehensive overview of primary studies exploring end-of-life treatments in lung cancer patients. Methodological inconsistencies pose many challenges, revealing a notable proportion of patients experiencing potential overtreatment, warranting more standardized research methods for robust evaluations.

End-of-Life Costs in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVES: Identify the costs of an oncology patient at the end of life. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted by screening Embase, PubMed and Lilacs databases, including all studies evaluating end-of-life care costs for cancer patients up to March 2024. The review writing followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Drummond checklist. The protocol is available at PROSPERO CRD42023403186. RESULTS: A total of 733 studies were retrieved, and 43 were considered eligible. Among the studies analyzed, 41,86% included all types of neoplasms, 18.60% of lung neoplasm, All articles performed direct cost analysis, and 9.30% also performed indirect cost analysis. No study evaluated intangible costs, and most presented the macrocosting methodology from the payer's perspective. The articles included in this review presented significant heterogeneity related to populations, diagnoses, periods considered for evaluation of end-of-life care, and cost analyses. Most of the studies were from a payer perspective (74,41%) and based on macrocosting methodologies (81,39%), which limit the use of the information to evaluate variabilities in the consumption of resources. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the complexity of end-of-life care and the need for consistent data on costs in this period, new studies, mainly in low- and middle-income countries with approaches to indirect and intangible costs, with a societal perspective, are important for public policies of health in accordance with the trend of transforming value-based care, allowing the health care system to create more value for patients and their families.

Prevalence of oral diseases in patients under palliative care: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Oral alterations are frequently observed in patients undergoing palliative care and are linked to the direct or indirect effects of the primary medical condition, comorbidities and medical management, leading to oral pain, impacting oral intake, and affecting quality of life. This systematic review aims to assess the prevalence of oral disease in palliative care patients. METHODS: The protocol was registered at the PROSPERO database, and a systematic review of the literature was performed based on the PRISMA statement. A thorough evaluation of studies from five databases and gray literature was conducted. The risk of bias in each study was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for cross-sectional and case-control studies. A quantitative analysis was conducted on five studies using meta-analysis, and the degree of certainty in the evidence was determined using the GRADE tool. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 2,502 patients, with a slight male predominance (50.43%). The average age was 66.92 years. The prevalence of oral diseases among palliative care patients was as follows: caries 32% (95% CI, 0.11-0.56; I2 = 93%), and oral candidiasis 17% (95% CI,0.11-0.25; I2 = 74%). Gingivitis and stomatitis were also reported, but with less frequency. CONCLUSION: Dental intervention should take place as early as possible, ideally from the time of the patient's initial admission to palliative care, with regular monitoring of oral health. This approach can enhance the patient's comfort and quality of life and help prevent more severe complications in the future.

Anxiety and resilience in palliative medicine physicians.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the relationship between the degree of anxiety and the capacity for resilience in palliative care physicians. METHODS: Cross-sectional analytical study with non-probability sampling. We included 42 Colombian Palliative Care Physicians and administered a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Zung Anxiety Scale and the Resilience Scale. RESULTS: 42 palliative care physicians with an average age of 41 participated in the study. Anxious symptoms were present in 100% of the physicians evaluated. Mild or moderate anxiety was identified in 93.7% of the population and 6.3% of people with severe anxiety symptoms. Less than half of the participants considered demonstrated high levels of resilience. We found an inverse and significant correlation between the factors that make up the Resilience Scale and the manifestation of psychological and physical symptoms of anxiety. CONCLUSION: Our results reflect that the population of palliative care physicians has a higher risk and exposure to developing anxiety and its adverse outcomes. We found higher anxiety levels compared with other studies so this population requires greater vigilance and intervention in treating and preventing mental health difficulties.

Knowledge and attitudes of physicians in Chile toward Do-Not-Attempt-Resuscitation orders: A cross-sectional nation-wide study.

Objective: Do-Not-Attempt-Resuscitation orders originated in the early 1960s with the establishment of advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation. These orders aim to limit therapeutic efforts in cases where it may be futile. The decision not to resuscitate a patient is a process that involves a series of ethical, legal, and clinical considerations. Still, it also requires a process in which priority is given to the patients and their autonomy. The objective of this study was to describe the knowledge and attitudes of physicians working in Chile toward Do-Not-Attempt-Resuscitation orders. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, in which a digital questionnaire was sent to physicians from different regions of Chile. Quantitative variables were analyzed using measures of central tendency and dispersion (e.g., median and interquartile range), while qualitative variables were evaluated using frequencies and percentages. Results: Four hundred and thirty-one physicians completed the survey. 85.4% were familiar with the ethical and legal guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the rights and duties of the patient. 39.2% believed that patients should have the final decision Do-Not-Attempt-Resuscitation orders, especially if they themselves requested not to be resuscitated. 87.7% mentioned that the Do-Not-Attempt-Resuscitation orders should be reassessed if the patient's prognosis improves. In addition, it was found that the decision not to resuscitate was not always discussed with the patient or their family. Conclusions: The study revealed an ethical conflict regarding Do-Not-Attempt-Resuscitation orders and their management by Chilean physicians. Therefore, it is necessary to create recommendations and provide training to guide professionals in this process, which should also involve patients and their families.

Evaluation of the Concept of Value-Based Healthcare Applied to an Integrated Palliative Care Program in Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the "Value-Based Healthcare" concept of an integrated palliative care (PC) program in Bogotá, Colombia, through the measurement of health outcomes and care costs in the last 3 months of life. METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective cohort study that included patients ≥18 years old who died in 2020 due to medical conditions amenable to PC. The measured health outcomes included pain, wellbeing, comfort, quality of life (QOL), and satisfaction. We analyzed the behavior of overall care costs during the last 3 months of the patients' lives and controlled for the effect of exposure to the program, considering the disease type and insurance coverage, using a linear regression model, nearest-neighbor matching, and sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among patients exposed to the program, the mean pain score was 2.1/10 (± 1.3) and wellbeing was rated at 3.5/10 (± 1.0), comfort at 1.6/24 (± 1.3), QOL at 3.6/5.0 (± 0.17), and satisfaction at 9.3/100 (± 0.15). The positive changes in these scores were greater for patients who remained in the program for over 3 months. Cost reduction was demonstrated in the last 90 days of life, with statistically significant and chronologically progressive savings during the last 30 days of life exceeding 5 million pesos per patient (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the success of PC in reducing pain, improving wellbeing and QOL, providing comfort, and ensuring high levels of satisfaction. Moreover, PC is an effective value-based healthcare strategy and can significantly enhance the efficiency of healthcare services by reducing end-of-life healthcare costs.

Consideraciones bioéticas en el manejo de la esclerosis lateral amiotrófica: Una aproximación al quehacer fonoaudiológico

Introducción: La esclerosis lateral amiotrófica (ELA) es la forma más común de enfermedad degenerativa de motoneurona en la edad adulta y es considerada una enfermedad terminal. Por lo mismo, el accionar del fonoaudiólogo debe considerar el respeto a los principios bioéticos básicos para garantizar una asistencia adecuada. Objetivo: Conocer aquellas consideraciones bioéticas relacionadas al manejo y estudio de personas con ELA para luego brindar una aproximación hacia el quehacer fonoaudiológico. Método: Se efectuó una búsqueda bibliográfica en las bases de datos PubMed, Scopus y SciELO. Se filtraron artículos publicados desde 2000 hasta junio de 2023 y fueron seleccionados aquellos que abordaban algún componente bioético en población con ELA. Resultados: Aspectos relacionados al uso del consentimiento informado y a la toma de decisiones compartidas destacaron como elementos esenciales para apoyar la autonomía de las personas. Conclusión: Una correcta comunicación y una toma de decisiones compartida son claves para respetar la autonomía de las personas. A su vez, la estandarización de procedimientos mediante la investigación clínica permitirá aportar al cumplimiento de los principios bioéticos de beneficencia y no maleficencia, indispensables para la práctica profesional.

Introduction: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common form of degenerative motor neuron disease in adulthood and is considered a terminal disease. For this reason, the actions of the speech therapist must consider respect for basic bioethical principles to guarantee adequate assistance. Objective: To know those bioethical considerations related to the management and study of people with ALS to then provide an approach to speech therapy. Methodology: A bibliographic search was carried out in the PubMed, Scopus, and SciELO databases. Articles published from 2000 to June 2023 were filtered and those that addressed a bioethical component in the population with ALS were selected. Results: Aspects related to the use of informed consent and shared decision-making stood out as essential elements to support people's autonomy. Conclusion: Proper communication and shared decision-making are key to respecting people's autonomy. In turn, the standardization of procedures through clinical research will contribute to compliance with the bioethical principles of beneficence and non-maleficence, essential for professional practice.

Outpatient Palliative Care Program: Impact on Home Death Rate in Brazil.

While the positive impact of early palliative care on the quality of life of cancer patients is well established, there is a noticeable research gap in developing countries. This study sought to determine the impact of an outpatient palliative care (OPC) program on the location of death among patients in Brazil. This was a retrospective study including patients with cancer who died between January 2022 and December 2022 in 32 private cancer centers in Brazil. Data were collected from medical records, encompassing demographics, cancer characteristics, and participation in the OPC program. The study involved 1980 patients, of which 32.3% were in the OPC program. OPC patients were predominantly younger (average age at death of 66.8 vs. 68.0 years old, p = 0.039) and composed of women (59.4% vs. 51.3%, p = 0.019) compared to the no-OPC patients. OPC patients had more home/hospice deaths (19.6% vs. 10.4%, p < 0.001), and participation in the outpatient palliative care program strongly predicted home death (OR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.54-2.64). Our findings suggest a significant impact of the OPC program on increasing home and hospice deaths among patients with cancer in our sample. These findings emphasize the potential of specialized OPC programs to enhance end-of-life care, particularly in low-resource countries facing challenges related to social and cultural dimensions of care and healthcare access.

Cuidados paliativos en la atención primaria de salud / Palliative care in primary health care

En la actualidad, la oferta de cuidados paliativos especializados ha sido superada por la demanda, por lo cual la atención a pacientes con enfermedades en estado terminal o en fase final de la vida suele estar a cargo del médico del nivel primario de asistencia. En ese sentido, los cuidados paliativos primarios incluyen el diagnóstico, el tratamiento paliativo, la planificación anticipada, la gestión y coordinación de intervenciones multidisciplinarias y la transferencia a cuidados especializados cuando sea necesario y haya disponibilidad para ello. Al respecto, en este artículo se exponen brevemente algunos elementos sobre el tema y se propone, además, un algoritmo práctico y fácil de aplicar en la atención primaria, que permitirá identificar a la población aquejada por dolencias en esas etapas, con diferenciación en cuanto a afecciones neoplásicas o no neoplásicas.

Nowadays, the offer of specialized palliative care has been overcome by the demand, reason why care to patients with terminal illness or in end-of-life period is usually in charge of the doctor from primary care level. In that sense, primary palliative care includes the diagnosis, palliative treatment, early planning, administration and coordination of multidisciplinary interventions and referring to specialized care when it is necessary and the service is available. In this respect, some elements on the topic are shortly exposed in this work and, also, a practical and easy implementation algorithm in primary care is proposed that will allow identifying population suffering from pain in those stages, with differentiation as for neoplastic or non neoplastic affections.

Dying with end stage kidney disease: factors associated with place of death on a palliative care program / Fim de vida na doença renal terminal: fatores associados ao local de óbito num programa de cuidados paliativos

Abstract Introduction: End of life care of patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) may be particularly challenging and requires the intervention of a specialized palliative care team (PCT). Objective: To characterize the population of ESKD patients referred to a PCT and evaluate the determinants of planned dying at home. Methods: We performed a retrospective observational cohort study of all patients with ESKD referred to our PCT between January 2014 and December 2021 (n = 60) and further characterized those with previously known ESKD regarding place of death (n = 53). Results: The majority of the patients were female and the median age was 84 years. Half of the patients were on conservative treatment, 43% were on chronic hemodialysis, and the remainder underwent hemodialysis on a trial basis and were subsequently suspended. Of those with previously known ESKD, 18% died at home and neither gender, age, cognition, performance status, comorbidities, CKD etiology, or treatment modality were associated with place of death. Anuria was significantly associated with dying at the hospital as was shorter time from dialysis suspension and death. Although not reaching statistical significance, we found a tendency towards a longer duration of palliative care follow-up in those dying at home. Conclusion: Dying at home is possible in a palliative domiciliary program regardless of age, gender, etiology of CKD, major comorbidities, and treatment modality. Anuria and shorter survival from RRT withdrawal may be limiting factors for planned dying at home. A longer follow-up by palliative care may favor dying at home.

Resumo Introdução: Os cuidados de fim de vida em doentescom doença renal terminal (DRT) podem ser desafiantes e necessitar do apoio de uma equipa especializada em cuidados paliativos (ECP). Objetivo: Caracterizar a população de doentes com DRT encaminhada à ECP e avaliar os determinantes para um fim de vida planeado no domicílio. Métodos: Realizámos um estudo de coorte observacional retrospectivo dos doentes com DRT encaminhados à ECP entre janeiro/2014 e dezembro/2021 (n = 60) e caracterizámos aqueles com DRT previamente conhecida relativamente ao local de fim de vida (n = 53). Resultados: A maioria dos pacientes eram mulheres comidade mediana de 84 anos. Metade dos doentes encontrava-se em tratamento conservador, 43% em hemodiálise crónica e os restantes suspenderam diálise iniciada agudamente. Daqueles com DRT previamente conhecida, 18% morreram em casa. Não foi objetivada associação entre género, idade, cognição, status funcional, comorbilidades, etiologia da DRC ou modalidade de tratamento da DRT e o local de óbito. A anúria e a menor sobrevida após suspensão de diálise associaram-se a um fim de vida no hospital e verificámos uma tendência para o fim de vida em casa nos doentes com mais tempo de acompanhamento pela ECP. Conclusão: O fim de vida no domicílio é possível num programa domiciliário de cuidados paliativos, independentemente de idade, sexo, etiologia da DRC, principais comorbilidades e modalidade de tratamento. A anúria e o menor tempo de sobrevida após suspensão da TRS podem ser fatores limitantes. Um acompanhamento mais longo em cuidados paliativos pode favorecer o fim de vida no domicílio.

Economic impact of informal care of cancer patients at the end of life.

BACKGROUND: Economic analysis of the incorporation of palliative care (PC) programs allows for assessment of the potential financial impact of shifting activity from secondary care to primary, community and social care sectors. Only 14% of patients in need of PC in Argentina have access to PC services, similar to the world average, as estimated by World Health Organization (WHO). The economic impact of family care, which falls mainly on women, needs to be assessed at the public policy and research levels. We aimed to estimate and make visible the economic impact of unpaid care tasks developing a cost-effectiveness analytic model of a home-based PC program for cancer patients at the end of life from a social perspective (SP) in the province of Río Negro, Argentina. METHODS: A Markov model was developed from a SP to assess the cost-effectiveness of palliative home care compared to the usual care (UC) of cancer patients. The model compares the provision of PC through a home-based program with the UC that patients receive at the end of life. The average cost per patient, percentage of home deaths, days at home in the last year of life and the economic impact of formal and informal care were estimated using the human capital approach for 2019. RESULTS: palliative home care was cost-saving, leading to a 10.32% increase in home deaths, a decrease of 9 days of hospitalisation and an annual saving for society of USD 750 per patient. From a societal perspective, the largest cost-driver corresponds to informal care provided mainly by families, which accounted for 82% and 88% of the total daily cost of PC and UC strategy, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The incorporation of PC can improve the allocation of resources between the different levels of care. The visualisation of care tasks becomes particularly relevant when considering public policies and outcomes. Incorporating palliative home care strategies could alleviate the enormous costs faced by patients' families, especially women, in this stage of care.

Decision tree algorithm to predict mortality in incurable cancer: a new prognostic model.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a new prognostic model to predict 90-day mortality in patients with incurable cancer. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, patients with incurable cancer receiving palliative care (n = 1322) were randomly divided into two groups: development (n = 926, 70%) and validation (n = 396, 30%). A decision tree algorithm was used to develop a prognostic model with clinical variables. The accuracy and applicability of the proposed model were assessed by the C-statistic, calibration and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: Albumin (75.2%), C reactive protein (CRP) (47.7%) and Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) ≥50% (26.5%) were the variables that most contributed to the classification power of the prognostic model, named Simple decision Tree algorithm for predicting mortality in patients with Incurable Cancer (acromion STIC). This was used to identify three groups of increasing risk of 90-day mortality: STIC-1 - low risk (probability of death: 0.30): albumin ≥3.6 g/dL, CRP <7.8 mg/dL and KPS ≥50%; STIC-2 - medium risk (probability of death: 0.66 to 0.69): albumin ≥3.6 g/dL, CRP <7.8 mg/dL and KPS <50%, or albumin ≥3.6 g/dL and CRP ≥7.8 mg/dL; STIC-3 - high risk (probability of death: 0.79): albumin <3.6 g/dL. In the validation dataset, good accuracy (C-statistic ≥0.71), Hosmer-Lemeshow p=0.12 and area under the ROC curve=0.707 were found. CONCLUSIONS: STIC is a valid, practical tool for stratifying patients with incurable cancer into three risk groups for 90-day mortality.

Lidocaine infusion for malignant visceral pain: case report.

BACKGROUND: Visceral pain accounts for nearly 28% of cancer-related pain, and its effective management poses significant challenges. The diverse pathways of neurotransmission, neurotransmitters, channels, and receptors suggest the need for individualized analgesic therapy. Our objective is to explore a therapeutic alternative for managing malignant visceral pain in advanced cancer. CASES: In this report, we present two patients with malignant bowel obstruction and severe visceral pain, despite receiving opioid treatment, necessitating an alternative approach. Surgical interventions were considered but promptly ruled out. Paracentesis was performed as necessary. Pain management was initiated using a combination of opioids and co-analgesics. However, both patients required opioid dose escalation without achieving adequate pain control or tolerating the associated side effects. Consequently, a lidocaine infusion was administered to alleviate pain. OUTCOME: Following 24-48 hours of lidocaine infusion, both patients achieved satisfactory symptom control, enabling a reduction in opioid doses and improvement in intestinal transit. No side effects were reported during the treatment. DISCUSSION: Lidocaine infusions may be beneficial for pain management in patients with malignant bowel obstruction and visceral pain. The extent of pain control achieved in comparison to other therapeutics remains challenging to ascertain. We posit that lidocaine infusions, with their potential impact on visceral hypersensitivity, can enhance pain control and facilitate the recovery of bowel transit. Further studies are warranted to validate these findings.

Frequency of anticancer drug use at the end of life: a scoping review.

PURPOSE: Anticancer drug use at the end of life places potential extra burdens on patients and the healthcare system. Previous articles show variability in methods and outcomes; thus, their results are not directly comparable. This scoping review describes the methods and extent of anticancer drug use at end of life. METHODS: Systematic searches in Medline and Embase were conducted to identify articles reporting anticancer drug use at the end of life. RESULTS: We selected 341 eligible publications, identifying key study features including timing of research, disease status, treatment schedule, treatment type, and treatment characteristics. Among the subset of 69 articles of all cancer types published within the last 5 years, we examined the frequency of anticancer drug use across various end of life periods. CONCLUSION: This comprehensive description of publications on anticancer drug use at end of life underscores the importance of methodological factors when designing studies and comparing outcomes.

Palliative Care for SARS-CoV-2 Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: A Comprehensive Study / Cuidados Paliativos al paciente con SARS-CoV-2 en una unidad de cuidados intensivos: un estudio integral / Cuidados Paliativos ao paciente com SARS-CoV-2 em unidade de terapia intensiva: estudo compreensivo

ABSTRACT Objective: To comprehend the multiprofessional actions regarding palliative care for patients in the Intensive Care Unit affected by SARS-CoV-2. Methods: A comprehensive qualitative study conducted with 31 professionals from the Intensive Care Units of a university hospital, based on the Theory of Peaceful End of Life. Results: The analysis of the discourse led to the identification of two categories: "Multidisciplinary actions to promote comfort at the end of life" and "Palliative care during the pandemic period and the promotion of emotional and spiritual comfort." Final Considerations: It became evident that local administration needs to invest in measures that reduce barriers to the implementation of palliative care during times of crisis. Understanding the discourse highlighted that non-specialized professionals can provide basic palliative care appropriately, without diminishing the importance and necessity of the presence of palliative care specialists in various hospital areas.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Comprender las acciones multiprofesionales en la atención paliativa de pacientes en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos afectados por el SARS-CoV-2. Métodos: Estudio integral y cualitativo realizado con 31 profesionales de Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos de un hospital universitario, basado en la Teoría del Final de Vida Pacífico. Resultados: El análisis de los discursos llevó a la identificación de dos categorías: "Acciones multidisciplinarias para promover el confort al final de la vida" y "Cuidados paliativos durante el período de la pandemia y el fomento del confort emocional y espiritual". Conclusiones: Se evidenció la necesidad de que la administración local invierta en medidas que minimicen las barreras para la implementación de la atención paliativa durante los momentos de crisis. La comprensión de los discursos resaltó que los profesionales no especializados pueden proporcionar cuidados paliativos básicos de manera adecuada, sin desmerecer la importancia y la necesidad de contar con especialistas en Cuidados Paliativos en diferentes áreas hospitalarias.

RESUMO Objetivo: Compreender as ações multiprofissionais quanto à paliação de pacientes em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva, acometidos pelo SARS-CoV-2. Métodos: Estudo compreensivo, qualitativo, realizado com 31 profissionais de Unidades de Terapia Intensiva de um hospital universitário, com base na Teoria do Fim de Vida Pacífico. Resultados: A análise dos discursos conduziu à identificação de duas categorias: "Ações multidisciplinares para promover o conforto no fim da vida" e "Cuidado paliativo durante o período pandêmico e o estímulo ao conforto emocional e espiritual". Considerações Finais: Tornou-se evidente a necessidade de a administração local investir em medidas que minimizem as barreiras à implementação da assistência paliativa durante momentos de crise. A compreensão dos discursos ressaltou que profissionais não especializados podem fornecer cuidados paliativos básicos de maneira adequada, sem desmerecer a importância e a necessidade da presença de especialistas em Cuidados Paliativos em diferentes áreas hospitalares.

Diretivas antecipadas de vontade como temática da educação médica / Advance directives as a topic in medical education / Voluntades anticipadas como tema de la educación médica

Resumo A pesquisa investigou o conhecimento de professores e alunos do internato médico acerca das diretivas antecipadas de vontade, que visam assegurar os direitos dos pacientes de registrar sua preferência pelos cuidados médicos a que serão submetidos quando estiverem incapacitados de tomar decisões. Trata-se de estudo transversal, descritivo, observacional, com abordagem majoritariamente quantitativa, que contou com a participação de 30 professores do curso de medicina e 121 acadêmicos de medicina vinculados a duas instituições de ensino localizadas em Belém/PA. Os resultados revelaram lacunas no conhecimento a respeito do tema, apontando a necessidade de uma abordagem mais aprofundada durante a formação e a prática médica. Conclui-se que é necessário intensificar a divulgação de diretivas antecipadas de vontade no âmbito do ensino médico, de forma a favorecer a autonomia e o compartilhamento das decisões.

Abstract This study investigated the knowledge of medical professors and students during internship regarding advance directives, a device that aims to ensure the right of patients to record their preference for medical care they will be subject to when incapable of making decisions. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive and observational study with a mostly quantitative approach, of which participated 30 professors and 121 medical students from two teaching institutions in Belém/PA. The results identified gaps in the knowledge about the topic, pointing to the need for a deeper approach during medical training and practice. It is concluded that the divulging of advance directives in medical training should be more intense to favor autonomy and share decision making.

Resumen Esta investigación analizó el conocimiento de profesores y estudiantes de medicina sobre las directivas anticipadas, cuyo objetivo es garantizar los derechos de los pacientes a expresar su preferencia por la atención médica cuando ya no son capaces de comunicarse. Se trata de un estudio transversal, descriptivo, observacional, con enfoque mayoritariamente cuantitativo, en el que participaron 30 profesores de medicina y 121 estudiantes de medicina de dos instituciones de enseñanza situadas en Belém/PA. Los resultados revelaron vacíos en el conocimiento sobre el tema, lo que demuestra la necesidad de un abordaje en profundidad durante la formación y la práctica médica. Se concluye que hay una necesidad de intensificar el conocimiento de las voluntades anticipadas en la formación médica para favorecer la autonomía y la toma de decisiones compartida.

Diretivas antecipadas de vontade e cuidados paliativos: percepção brasileira / Advance directives and palliative care: Brazilian perception / Voluntades anticipadas y cuidados paliativos: percepción brasileña

Resumo As diretivas antecipadas de vontade são consideradas um componente fundamental do planejamento de cuidados de saúde, recurso comumente empregado por equipes de cuidados paliativos. Dada a importância da rede de cuidado para o paciente com doença incurável e que ameaça sua vida, este estudo tem o objetivo investigar a compreensão que profissionais da saúde, pacientes e cuidadores têm da temática, além de apreender como o tema é conceituado, identificar convergências e divergências nos discursos e discutir como essas noções podem influenciar na qualidade do cuidado. Optou-se pela revisão integrativa da literatura científica, em que foram selecionados e analisados oito artigos. Com isso, priorizou-se dividir a discussão em três tópicos descritivos e analisá-los criticamente. Desse modo, fica evidente a necessidade de continuar a debater essa temática a fim de garantir o desenvolvimento de condutas centradas no paciente, que contemplem suas condições socioeconômicas e seus valores pessoais.

Abstract Advance directives are considered a fundamental component of health care planning, a resource commonly used by palliative care teams. Given the importance of the care network for patients with incurable and life-threatening diseases, this study aims to investigate the understanding that health professionals, patients, and caregivers have of the subject, in addition to understanding how the subject is conceptualized, identifying convergences and divergences in the discourses and how these notions can influence the quality of care. We opted for an integrative review of the scientific literature, in which eight articles were selected and analyzed. Priority was given to dividing the discussion into three descriptive topics and analyzing them critically. Thus, the need to continue debating this topic is evident in order to ensure the development of patient-centered behaviors that take into account their socioeconomic conditions and personal values.

Resumen Las directivas anticipadas se consideran fundamentales en la planificación de la atención de la salud, un recurso comúnmente utilizado por los equipos de cuidados paliativos. Dada la importancia de la red de atención para pacientes con enfermedad incurable y potencialmente mortal, este estudio pretende investigar la comprensión que los profesionales de salud, pacientes y cuidadores tienen sobre el tema, además de comprender cómo se conceptualiza el tema, identificar convergencias y divergencias en los discursos y discutir cómo estas nociones pueden influir en la calidad de la atención. Se realizó una revisión integradora de la literatura científica, en la que se seleccionaron y analizaron ocho artículos. Así, se dio prioridad a dividir la discusión en tres temas descriptivos y analizarlos críticamente. Se evidencia la necesidad de seguir debatiendo este tema para garantizar el desarrollo de comportamientos centrados en el paciente, que incluyan sus condiciones socioeconómicas y valores personales.

Neuropalliative care in a tertiary-level hospital.

OBJECTIVES: Palliative care in neurology is a recent specialty to improve the quality of life of patients with severe neurological diseases. This study aims to determine the frequency of neurological inpatients who had indication of palliative care, and evaluate the symptomatology, demographic profile, the need for supportive measures, advance directives for life and medical history of patients in a tertiary hospital in Brazil. METHODS: This cross-sectional analytical study evaluated all patients admitted to the neurological semi-intensive care unit (ICU) at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein with neurological conditions from February through August 2022. The Palliative Performance Scale (weight loss greater than 5% associated with body changes and a negative response to the question: 'Would you be surprised if the patient died within 1 year?') was used to indicate palliative care. Patients were divided into three groups: patients with palliative care needs (groupindication), patients without palliative care needs (groupwithout indication) and patients who received at least one assessment of a palliative care team (grouppalliative). Demographic data were analysed using the Χ2 test for qualitative and Kruskal-Wallis test for quantitative variables. RESULTS: Of the 198 patients included in the study, 115 (58%) had palliative care needs. Only 6.9% received assessment by the palliative care team, and 9.56% had advance directives in their medical records. Patients in groupindication had a higher prevalence of symptoms, such as fatigue, depression, shortness of breath and lack of appetite, and required more supportive measures, such as oxygen therapy, enteral/parenteral nutrition, admissions at ICU and days in hospital. CONCLUSION: Despite the high demand for palliative care in neurology, few patients receive this treatment, resulting in decreased quality of care. Therefore, greater integration and discussion of palliative care in neurology are needed.

Continuidad de los cuidados paliativos domiciliarios durante la pandemia por COVID-19 / Continuity of home palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJETIVO: Determinar las estrategias utilizadas para dar continuidad a los cuidados paliativos en pandemia. MÉTODO: Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica sistematizada en seis bases de datos: PubMed, Scopus, Sciencedirect, EBSCO, WOS y BVS desde marzo a junio 2022. Se utilizaron descriptores normalizados MESH "Terminal care", "Nursing care" y "COVID-19" y sinónimos que fueron combinados con el operador booleano "AND". Se incluyen todos los artículos en inglés, español y portugués publicados durante la pandemia por COVID-19 (2019-2022), seleccionándolos luego según criterios de elegibilidad. RESULTADOS: Se seleccionaron 13 artículos, siendo 12 en inglés y 1 en español, en su mayoría de Europa. Las estrategias encontradas se clasificaron en 5 categorías principales: Reorganización de los servicios, planificación anticipada, apoyo a los profesionales, apoyo al paciente y familia; y uso de la tecnología de la información. CONCLUSIÓN: La pandemia por COVID-19 trajo consecuencias para todo el sistema de salud. Una de las afectadas fue el área de cuidados paliativos, donde se debió trabajar sólo con los recursos disponibles. De esta situación surgieron estrategias positivas para continuar dando una buena calidad de vida al paciente en sus últimos momentos, siendo el uso de la tecnología el más utilizado, sin dejar de lado el papel protagónico de la enfermera.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the strategies used to perpetuate palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: A bibliographic inspection was conducted in six databases: PubMed, Scopus, Sciencedirect, EBSCO, WOS and BVS, from March to June 2022. Standardized descriptors from MESH were used, such as "Terminal care", "Nursing care", and "COVID-19", along with synonyms that were intertwined with the Boolean operator "AND". All articles in English, Spanish and Portuguese published during the COVID-19 pandemic (2019-2022) were included, selecting them afterwards according to eligibility criteria. RESULTS: 13 articles were selected, 12 of which were in English and 1 was in Spanish, mostly being from Europe. The strategies found were classified in 5 main categories: Reorganization of the services, anticipated planification, support to professionals, patients and family, and the usage of information technology. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic brought consequences for the entire health system. Palliative care was one of the affected areas, where professionals had to work only with the resources available. From this situation positive strategies emerged to continue giving a good quality of life to the patient in his/her last moments, being the use of technology the most implemented, without leaving the nurse principal role aside.

The Mapping of Influencing Factors in the Decision-Making of End-of-Life Care Patients: A Systematic Scoping Review.

Decisions in end-of-life care are influenced by several factors, many of which are not identified by the decision maker. These influencing factors modify important decisions in this scenario, such as in decisions to adapt to therapeutic support. This presented scoping review aims to map the factors that influence end-of-life care decisions for adult and older adult patients, by a scoping review. The review was carried out in 19 databases, with the keyword 'clinical decision-making' AND 'terminal care' OR 'end-of-life care' and its analogues, including publications from 2017 to 2022. The study was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews. The search resulted in 3474 publications, where the presence of influencing factors in end-of-life decision-making for adults and the elderly was applied as a selection criterion. Fifty-four (54) of them were selected, which means 1.5% of all the results. Among the selected publications, 89 influencing factors were found, distributed in 54 (60.6%) factors related to the health team, 18 (20.2%) to patients, 10 (11.2%) related to family or surrogates and 7 (7.8%) factors related to the decision environment. In conclusion, we note that the decision-making in end-of-life care is complex, mainly because there is an interaction of different characters (health team, patient, family, or surrogates) with a plurality of influencing factors, associated with an environment of uncertainty and that result in a critical outcome, with a great repercussion for the end of life, making it imperative the recognition of these factors for more competent and safe decision-making.