Estado da arte dos cuidados paliativos oncológicos: retrato da assistência no município de Juiz de Fora - MG

Abstract

Demographic and epidemiological changes which occurred in Brazil in the past few years have led to the modification of the profile concerning health needs of the population as a whole. Nowadays, non-communicable chronic diseases including cancer are considered the most prevalent in Brazil as they represent the leading causes of death among Brazilians. Most patients afflicted by these diseases are in the later stages with no possibilities of cure. Considering this situation healthcare model should be able to satisfy these new demands and ensure access to specialized assistance in the final stage of life. In this context, palliative care is taken as an interdisciplinary field of active total care. Its scope is the attention delivered to patients in their later stages and / or in terminal stage and their families. Juiz de Fora should be prepared to provide appropriate care to patients in their last few days of life as a reference center regarding cancer care in southeast macro-region of the state as stated by the policy of cancer care. This study aims to analyze the situation of palliative care for cancer patients in Juiz de Fora. Another purpose is to identify the real obstacles in the way of the implementation of palliative care services in the aforementioned city. In order to assess the situation of palliative care for cancer patients in Juiz de Fora a qualitative research through case study will be carried out. It will be also verified if both professionals and public or private health systems are organized and prepared to provide adequate end-of-life care. This research therefore aims to unveil the true situation of palliative care for cancer patients in Juiz de Fora. By describing the portrait of assistance concerning palliative care in Juiz de Fora taking into account all essential aspects of palliative practice, we may conclude that in general the city does not offer palliative care and besides patients do not receive appropriate care and suffer from difficulties in access to this kind of care.