Reconhecimento da fisioterapia pelos pacientes oncológicos em cuidados paliativos

Abstract

Cancer is a set of more than 100 diseases, considered a serious public health problem. When there is no possibility of cure, a new way of caring for the patient appears, called Palliative Care. This care is offered by a multidisciplinary team, in which physiotherapy is included. Objective: To assess the level of knowledge of cancer patients in palliative care about Physiotherapy. Methods: Quantitative, cross-sectional and descriptive study, carried out with palliative cancer patients at Hospital Araújo Jorge, of both genders and over 18 years old. Two questionnaires were used: a sociodemographic and a Physical Therapy Recognition questionnaire by patients and family members. Results: There was an approach of 23 patients and family members, 15 of them did not participate in the research because they did not know their prognosis, 4 patients did not accept to participate, and therefore, 4 interviews were carried out, with two patients and two family members. Patients' age ranged from 34 to 83 years. It was observed that the interviewees knew what physical therapy treatment was and its benefits, and that they would recommend the treatment to other patients. Conclusion: Most patients were not aware of their palliative prognosis and those who participated knew what physical therapy treatment was and its benefits.