PEDIATRIC PALLIATIVE CARE IN BRAZIL

Abstract

Palliative care in Brazil is provided by the SUS (Unified Health System) and private initiatives, following a care coordination model. The process of caring, supporting, and sheltering goes beyond the concept of curing by alleviating pain, suffering, and the prospect of death. Instead, it prioritizes enhancing the quality of life and autonomy of the individual in need of care.In this context, the study aimed to identify the importance of palliative care provided by healthcare professionals to children. Its methodology involved an integrative literature review conducted between September and October 2024, using the following databases: LILACS, SCIELO, and PubMed. The selected studies underwent a thorough semi-structured analysis led by three researchers, with a fourth responsible for resolving any thematic discrepancies.The results indicate that, although there are few scientific studies substantiating the relationship between palliative care in intra-hospital and extra-hospital settings, a central theme emerges: the provision of palliative care for children remains a taboo.In conclusion, palliative care faces challenges in adapting its practices to different realities, highlighting the need for greater flexibility and sensitivity in its implementation.