Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of Palliative Care among anesthesiologists of João Pessoa city. The research was of a descriptive nature, quantitative, by means of an individual questionnaire, composed by objective questions. The sample was of 95 anesthesiologists belonging to the Anesthesia Society of the State of Paraíba. The data obtained were analyzed and processed using the program SPSS version 19.0. From the 126 anesthesiologists requested to participate in the study, 95 answered the questionnaire. Of these, 65 were male and 30 were female. Sixty two of anesthesiologists reported the quality of life as the term that best expresses the and 54 consider the combination of assistance home/hospital the most convenient for the care of the patient that requires. It was observed that 83% from the searched anesthesiologists didn’t receive training to deal with the patient that requires, and when the death of a patient happens, 88% comment with their anesthesiologists colleagues. Most of those interviewed disagree with the practice of euthanasia. Regarding the self perception about the grade they attribute to their own knowledge on palliative care, in a scale from Zero to ten, it was observed a majority of the average response of 5. It is necessary to have reflection in this area of care with anesthesiologists to offer the patient measures that provide the quality of life that reduce their suffering.