Necessidades paliativas em doentes institucionalizados com perturbação do neurodesenvolvimento e com deficiência intelectual associada

Abstract

Introduction: Neurodevelopmental disorders as well as intellectual disability, associated with other chronic diseases, require integrative solutions. Assessing needs from a perspective or a palliative look can be a great contribution. Metodology: The methodology of this study is observational, descriptive, with a quantitative approach. Data were collected by 14 health professionals. A sample of 98 patients institutionalized in an IPSS was collected, evaluated by nurses. The NECPAL – CCOMS – ICO© version 3.1 2017, the IPOSv1-S7-PT, the PPS-PT-Palliative Performance Scale (PPSv2) and characterization instruments (age and pathology) were used as data collection instruments. Results: Regarding the application of the PPS scale, there was an increasing increase in the number of patients with a low evaluation, which means a greater number of patients with a high level of dependence. Regarding the application of the NECPAL instrument, the result obtained was that 48% of the patients (n=47) needed palliative needs. From the complementary application of the IPOS instrument to patients with positive NECPAL (n=47), the following symptoms were highlighted: constipation, weakness/lack of energy, poor appetite, poor mobility, drowsiness, vomiting, nausea, pain, shortness of breath and mouth sores/dry mouth. There is also a statistically significant association between the presence of different diagnoses and being NECPAL positive: 80.6% of patients diagnosed with profound intellectual disability are NECPAL positive, as well as 67.6% of patients diagnosed with cerebral palsy and with a diagnosis of moderate intellectual disability 16% of patients. Conclusions: This study identified patients with palliative needs and which mental health diagnoses were predominant, as well as the symptoms associated with each identification. It also allowed us to understand the importance of training, knowledge, and communication of the role of nurses both in the area of mental health and in the area of Palliative Care.

Date of Award	7 Dec 2023
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Manuel Luís Capelas (Supervisor) & Tânia dos Santos Afonso (Co-Supervisor)