CHALLENGES FOR THE PALLIATIVE CARE NETWORK IN THE PERCEPTION OF HEALTH MANAGERS

Abstract

Objective: To identify and analyze the perceptions of a group of managers regarding the challenges in structuring the health care networks for palliative care. Materials and methods: Descriptive, exploratory, qualitative study based on phenomenology. Data collection was carried out through three focus groups, along with 12 health service managers from a municipality in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The Free Association method was used, with flexible and triggering questions for dialog, so the reports were recorded and fully transcribed for analysis. Results: Five categories and two subcategories of thematic analysis were identified: Paradigms in palliative care; Importance of information in changing paradigms in prevention and promotion; Lack of acceptance by family members regarding palliative care; Lack of communication and integration between services of the health care network; Intersectoriality in care for chronic diseases and palliative care; Professional disinterest in continuing education programs and Lack of support from family members of patients and the community regarding chronic diseases and palliative care. Conclusion: It is necessary to invest in community health education actions focused on both awareness and palliative care and mechanisms for better communication in health care networks.