End-of-life care: how can approach this difficult subject? <b>[Abstract in English]</b>

Abstract

Objective: To review recent publications about endof- life care and to consider a education strategy on this subject for medical teams.
Methods: Data base Medline search, enclosing studies on the last 10 years, using the following key words – endof- life care, death and medicine school.
Results: During the medicine course, little emphasis is given to study of the death and the cares with the end of life. The revision identifies four main steps that must be followed by the medical team with a situation of life end (1) begining of the discussion, (2) discussion on prognostic, (3) identification of the values in the end-of-life and (4) development of a strategy to define the treatment. These 4 itens are gradual, each one taking the recital of the following item.
Conclusion: The discussion and the training on the end-of-life care would have to be carried through during the medicine course and be a part of medical formation. The use of this guide can facilitate the relation between doctor, patient and its families ones in the difficult process of the death.
KEY WORDS: EDUCATION, MEDICAL; HOSPICE CARE; DEATH; PHYSICIAN-PATIENT RELATIONS.