Assistance to Patients with Terminal Cancer in the Last 30 Days Prior to Death: Differences in the Care of the Usual Health Care Units and a Palliative Care Unit

Abstract

The elaboration of the care plan for patients with terminal cancer must be based on a careful evaluation of clinical, bioethical and prognostic elements. The prognostic assessment can lead to the improvement of treatment strategies and support the planning of care and the efficient use of available resources, helping to minimize the risks of under treatment or excessive and futile treatments, especially in the phase close to death [1]. In the hospital setting, it is common for patients with terminal cancer to receive inadequate and ineffective care, with no provision for palliative care and pain relief. Even in a reality of scarce resources, there is an unnecessary use of invasive and high-tech methods, focused on trying to cure, which are unable to treat the most prevalent symptoms of the disease, prolonging suffering and pain [2].