Abstract
Introduction: Palliative care consists of multidisciplinary assistance capable of improving the quality of life of patients with serious and threatening illnesses, integrating physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects to the so-called “conventional” treatment, relieving pain and suffering in all its aspects faces. Objective: to evaluate the knowledge of pediatric residents about the concepts and teaching of palliative care during postgraduate studies. Methods: This is a descriptive, qualitative and phenomenological study. Results: 12 residents of the last year of the medical residency program participated, who, when expressing their conceptions on the subject, presented peculiarities of a care that has been improved over time, breaking paradigms, such as the search for cure and maintenance of life at any time. price, without making room for an approach aimed at the human being in its entirety. For them, this Gordian knot can be resolved with the acquisition of technical skills, communication, rehabilitation and knowledge of the process of dying and death. Discussion: Human beings are very innately resistant to facing death naturally, as part of life; this stems from social, cultural, spiritual, emotional aspects and teaching in the health area itself, evidenced by the interviewees lack of knowledge about the dimension of palliative care, without, however, disregarding its importance. Conclusion: Such characters do not feel empowered to interact with patients and family members in order to discuss the terminality. These results show a timid posture, and the peremptory need for this topic in professional training.