EFFICACY OF PALLIATIVE CARE PROTOCOLS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC DISEASES: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Palliative care has been consolidated as an essential approach to improve the quality of life of patients with chronic diseases, focusing on symptom management and comprehensive support for the patient and family. This integrative review evaluates the effectiveness of several palliative care protocols in the management of chronic diseases, with an emphasis on their ability to provide symptom relief, improve quality of life, and meet the psychosocial needs of patients. The methodology included a systematic analysis of studies published in scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, covering the literature from 2010 to 2023. The inclusion criteria included studies that investigated the effectiveness of palliative interventions in patients with chronic diseases, while studies focused exclusively on oncology palliative care were excluded. The results indicate that palliative care protocols are effective in reducing symptoms, improving quality of life, and patient satisfaction. However, the variability in implementation and observed outcomes suggests the need for further research to standardize and optimize these protocols. The review concludes that despite significant advances, there is a continuing need for development and evaluation of protocols to better meet the complex needs of patients with chronic diseases.