The aim of this study was to learn of experiences and approaches of doctors involving the process of death and dying of elderly patients in a hospital environment, and how their facing of death can be related to their medical training. This exploratory and descriptive study employed a qualitative research methodology involving semi-structured interviews with eleven doctors, who had graduated more than five years ago and were working in a large hospital in the interior of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Using the content analysis technique first proposed by Bardin, and further developed by Minayo, five categories were established. The Only one of the categories, namely "Conversations about Academic Training", is addressed in this paper. The study reveals the concern of the medical professional regarding patient care and respect, demonstrating, however, the need for broader and deeper reflections on academic training, as it is found that, in the eyes of the professionals who graduated more than five years ago, death death and dying are not covered in the curriculum.
Death; Education; Orthothanasia; Ethics