TERMINALLY: IMPLICATIONS AND PSYCHIC ANALYSIS, ACCORDING TO MEDICAL TRAINING

Abstract

Introduction: Terminality is a process that covers distinct psychic manifestations, with effects in the patient in this situation, the family and the health team. In that meaning, this study aims to make a bibliographic survey about the terminality and its reflections in the patient, the medicine student and the doctor. Methodology: Thereunto, a search was made in the Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), with descriptors “terminally ill” and “medical students”. Firstly, 42 works were found, from which, according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, 12 texts were selected. Results: Moreover, these topics were discussed: Communication between terminally ill patients and medicine students; Palliative care as an alternative to terminality; Student’s, professional’s and patient’s preparedness to deal with the matter of death. Discussion: The learning related to terminal illness and palliative care is essential for the future physician, because it provides security, empathetic attendance in the patients and their families care, that is a fact that strengthens the doctor-patient relationship. Therefore, it is known that this bond is extremely important regarding the process of death, as it enables both for the student and the physician, as well as for the patient and their family, a fruitful communication between them. In addition, it ensures trust between these people and helps with ways to deal with terminal illness, through empathy. Conclusion: Therefore, it is necessary to expand the reflexion and teaching of topics referring to the question of death, to capacitate medical staff to deal with the terminality of life.