Abstract
Euthanasia, which originally means “good death” or “painless death”, is a practice aimed at relieving suffering and ending the pain of the terminally ill patient. This study was designed to understand Intensive Care Unit health workers’ feelings and perceptions about euthanasia. This is a retrospective, descriptive and qualitative analysis research conducted with 23 workers at the University Hospital of Montes Claros/MG, Brazil, through structured interviews interpreted from content analysis. The interviewees demonstrated prior knowledge of euthanasia, and their discourses evidenced perceptions of social, moral, ethical and technical aspects. Euthanasia is a matter of great complexity, much discussed worldwide. It is necessary to explore the legalization issue, as well as the impacts of implementing such practice on the life of the sick patient, as well as for society as a whole.
Approval CEP-Soebras 2.014.605
Euthanasia; Death; Palliative care; Health personnel