Identificação de pacientes com indicação de Cuidados Paliativos na Estratégia Saúde da Família: estudo exploratório

• Published in: Cadernos Saúde Coletiva 2016-06, Vol.24 (2), p.145-152
• Main Authors: Fernando Cesar Iwamoto Marcucci Endereço para correspondência: Fernando Cesar Iwamoto Marcucci – Rua Henrique dos Santos, 62, Apto. 701 – Jardim Higienópolis – CEP: 86015-150 – Londrina (PR), Brasil – Email: [e-mail], Anamaria Baquero Perilla, Brun, Marília Maroneze, Marcos Aparecido Sarria Cabrera
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; por
• Subjects: atenção primária à saúde; Cuidados Paliativos; estratégia saúde da família; Palliative care; PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
• ISSN: 1414-462X; 2358-291X; 2358-291X
• DOI: 10.1590/1414-462X201600020012

BackgroundPalliative Care (PC) aims to offer a better quality of life to patients with advanced stage diseases but there is few data about its application and requirements in the primary care. Thus, a screening method was performed to identify patients with need for PC in the Brazilian Family Health Strategy (ESF), to quantify how the number of patients in a Basic Health Unit (UBS) and to describe their clinical and sociodemographic characteristics.MethodsESF patients were screened by Palliative Care Screening Tool to identify the need for PC and a questionnaire was applied to obtain data.ResultsScreening method resulted in 24 patients included (0.73% of the ESF registered population), with average age of 76 years old. Chronic conditions were most frequent, especially due to stroke, cancer and dementia. Most patients required considerable assistance in daily activities, and the most usual support offered by UBS was drugs and technical orientation. We identified limitations in the received support from UBS.ConclusionThere is no specific initiative to offer PC in the ESF despite some patients’ needs, with high level of functional incapacity. The specific polices to support the PC application in primary care are limited.