Plano integrado de cuidados paliativos na área geográfica do ACES Lezíria e Hospital Distrital de Santarém

Abstract

Abstract: Palliative Care (PC), as a human right for every citizen, is an approach that increases the quality of life of individuals and families, in the face of a life-limiting disease condition, by preventing and alleviating suffering. However, the lack of resources, lack of training and fragmented care have been identified as barriers to its implementation. In this context, there is an urgent need to rethink and plan PC implementation strategies that respond to the needs identified in each territory, in order to promote articulated and flexible care. Methodology: With the aim of developing an integrated response plan in palliative care in the area of ACeS Lezíria and Hospital Distrital de Santarém (HDS), a quantitative approach was used to carry out an epidemiological study and a qualitative approach using the Focus Group technique, which had as participants members of palliative care teams existing in the area. Using statistical data from public entities, a demographic and clinical description of the area covered by ACeS Lezíria and HDS was carried out, which allowed the estimation of resource needs. Results and conclusions: It was found that in 2021, at least 65% of the population died due to a chronic, advanced and progressive disease, which corresponds to the estimate of people in need of palliative care. In this way, the aim was also to achieve a palliative team coverage rate of 14% in the area under study. Based on these results and those obtained in the Focus Group, a plan was drawn up, the implementation of which will allow access to palliative care for the entire community in all environments and depending on their needs.

Date of Award	7 Dec 2023
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Manuel Luís Capelas (Supervisor) & Zacarias Rodríguez Alvarez-Ossorio (Co-Supervisor)