PERCEPTIONS OF EMPATHY IN END OF LIFE CARE IN BRAZIL: VIEW OF FAMILY MEMBERS AND CAREGIVERS

• Grant number: 23/10766-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2023
• End date: September 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Esther Angélica Luiz Ferreira
• Grantee: Amanda Moro Sanches
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Empathy is an essential factor in the relationship between healthcare professionals and patients and their families, impacting patient adherence to treatment and their involvement in shared decision-making. In end-of-life care, it is common for relatives to report the need for support in grieving after the loss of their loved ones. However, despite healthcare professionals typically being involved in supporting families during death and dying, most intensive care units (ICUs) do not maintain a routine follow-up with the relatives. It is understood that it is crucial to comprehend how these relatives perceive the received empathic support and how professionals perceive the empathic support offered, so that improvements can be made in this delicate area. Therefore, this study aims to understand the perceptions of empathy in end-of-life care in Brazil, both from the perspective of patients' relatives and healthcare professionals. Participants in this research will be individuals over 18 years old who have lost a loved one in the last 3 months after a period of hospitalization, hospital care, or home care, as well as healthcare professionals who have lost one or more patients in the last 3 months and have signed the Informed Consent Form. The participants will respond to an online questionnaire tailored to the investigated group they belong to, either Relative or Healthcare Professional. They will be recruited through the dissemination of an invitation on various social media.