Análise da qualidade de vida de pacientes oncológicos em cuidados paliativos no Brasil – uma revisão bibliográfica

Abstract

Palliative care is an approach provided by a multidisciplinary team, aiming to improve the quality of life of patient and their families facing the problems associated with a life-threatening disease, such as cancer in advanced stages. The recommended actions should focus on the prevention and relief of suffering, treating pain and other physical, social, psychological and spiritual symptoms. In addition, palliative care can also contribute to the reduction of unnecessary hospitalizations and the use of health services, contributing to the efficient use of resources. Considering the fact that the implementation of palliative care in health services in Brazil is recent and that we have not yet reached levels of excellence, the objective of the present study was to review the literature aiming to evaluate the quality of life in cancer patients undergoing palliative care in Brazil. In this way, it is expected that this research could contribute to the debate on palliative care in Brazil and to the implementation and increase of palliative care in Brazilian health services.