Abstract
The study investigates physiotherapists’ perception on bioethical aspects involving care to patients without therapeutic possibilities of cure. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study with professionals from the Regional Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy of the First Region. A survey questionnaire was applied based on the principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Results showed that most professionals work with patients with no therapeutic possibility of cure, consider the decision-making process during care to be extremely relevant, respect the patient’s will, seek to defend the principle of beneficence, and recognize the importance of bioethics and ethical discussions in academic education. In conclusion, physiotherapists seek to make ethical decisions, but there is a conflict of values regarding principles such as autonomy and beneficence.
Bioethics; Ethics; Palliative care; Health personnel; Physical therapy specialty