Percepção dos estudantes de medicina sobre cuidados paliativos pediátricos: uma revisão integrativa

Abstract

Pediatric palliative care is essential to improve the quality of life of children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. However, palliative care training in medical schools is often insufficient, resulting in a gap in knowledge and preparation of future physicians. This study aims to synthesize the evidence on medical students’ perceptions of pediatric palliative care and the factors that influence this perception during medical training. Method: An integrative literature review was conducted, covering quantitative, qualitative, and mixed studies published in the last ten years. The search was performed in the PubMed and Scielo databases, using descriptors related to medical students and pediatric palliative care. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were established to ensure the relevance of the selected studies. Results: The analysis revealed that most medical students have a limited understanding of pediatric palliative care, with attitudes that vary throughout their training. Practical experience and contact with terminally ill patients are essential to shape students’ perceptions. Furthermore, the lack of a structured curriculum and emotional support during training contributes to uncertainty and lack of preparation among students. Discussion: The findings indicate an urgent need to integrate more pediatric palliative care education into medical curricula. Implementing educational programs that include practical experiences and emotional support can significantly improve students’ confidence and competence in dealing with end-of-life situations. Conclusion: Pediatric palliative care training should be improved to better prepare future physicians for the emotional and clinical challenges associated with caring for children with serious illnesses. Creating more robust curricula that address emotional and ethical aspects is crucial for a more complete and humanized medical education.