A abordagem do luto em cuidados paliativos

Abstract

Introduction: Palliative care does not finish its function with the patient's decease. It lingers until its mourning’s phase, being in charge of screening the family for complicated mourning. As such, we will approach the mourning process, how it is experienced, intervention in this scope, the health-care professional's role, as well as its perception and that of the family facing it. Aim: To provide a clear and objective overview of grief, its experience, its participants and the specific intervention in this scope. Materials and Methods: A review of the literature on mourning in palliative care was carried out, in order to better illustrate its reality. Results: 101 articles were obtained on the types of grief, the experience of grief, the intervention in this area, as well as the family’s perception and health professionals in relation to it. Conclusion: The experience of mourning is traumatic and implies a unique experience of each one. There are factors that can ease or complicate it. Mourning lacks specific intervention, where a set of activities are its means of action. The role of the professional as an important vehicle of relationship and support in the process of death, death and post-death is highlighted. The care context lacks protocoled programs, in order to guarantee excellence in this area. Professionals are aware of this, recognizing that they do not feel able to support the family in this process. The family, in turn, does not have positive feedback on care, highlighting the precariousness in meeting their psychosocial and spiritual needs.