[Professionals in the care of the end of life: plurality of postures.]

Abstract

Deciding what type of health professional to be: the postural profile that is assumed in the care relationship is born from this challenge. These postures have a profound impact on the way in which care for the patient and end-of-life decisions will be developed. Broadly speaking, we can distinguish five macro postural profiles: the scientistic posture (the natural sciences are the only guide for the professional); the vitalist posture (the goal of saving the patient's life at all costs); the specialist posture (fragmentation of care managed by multiple specialists); the philanthropic posture (in which empathetic closeness to the patient prevails); the conversational posture (care "with" the patient, not "on" him). In light of this, it is essential to become aware of how you want to treat yourself and how you want to be treated, choosing, as far as possible, the appropriate travel companions.