Abstract
Objective
To analyze the perception of the multidisciplinary team about end-of-life comfort in intensive care.
Methods
This is a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study conducted with 50 professionals of the health team of an Intensive Care Unit of a private hospital in the state of Bahia. A sociodemographic questionnaire and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data, which were analyzed using thematic content analysis technique and discussed in the light of the Peaceful End-of-Life Theory.
Results
Professionals revealed that the health care of patients in palliative care in the Intensive Care Unit is directed to the need to promote comfort. Thus, three categories emerged: 1. Relieving pain to promote comfort; 2. Providing comfort to achieve peace, dignity and respect; 3. Approaching loved ones and faith as a comfort strategy.
Conclusion
Comfort was the concept of the Peaceful End-of-life Theory that stood out in the perception of the multidisciplinary team. It was promoted by all categories in its care practice to palliative patients, motivated by the identification of the basic needs of these patients. Comfort related to physical well-being was the most present in the speeches, signaling the need for multidisciplinary training for holistic comfort assistance. The theory used has been recognized as an important tool to support interventions that help in the search for a peaceful end-of-life.
Palliative care; Patient confort; Intensive care units; Patient care team; Nursing theory