Multiprofessional knowledge about palliative care and palliative extubation in infectious diseases

Abstract

This exploratory, descriptive, and quantitative study investigated the perception and knowledge of
healthcare professionals about palliative care and palliative extubation in infectious diseases. Data
were collected at a reference hospital in Ceará between May and December 2023 using an electronic
form to capture sociodemographic profiles, perception, and knowledge of the institution’s care and
management team in a convenience sampling. Most participants were black and brown people, aged
between 20 and 67, single, Catholic, with higher education completed in private institutions and work
experience between one and five years. They highlighted the existence of a palliative care team but
stated that they had not received specific training and/or subjects in their academic training. They
acknowledge being emotionally prepared to act at first but do not feel they have the practical skills
necessary for palliative extubation. The need for formative changes in health care is highlighted.