Residents facing finitude and the therapeutic decision-making process: a qualitative study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12957/reuerj.2025.88468Keywords:
Bioethics, Patient Care Team, Palliative Care, Clinical Decision-MakingAbstract
Objective: based on multi-disciplinary residents' testimonies, to analyze the therapeutic decision-making process for end-of-life patients in their practice setting, with Beauchamp and Childress' theory of principles as bioethical resource for the analysis. Method: a qualitative study with a sample comprised by 25 residents from three hospitals, using the “snowball” technique. Data collection was conducted in-person and online from July to October 2022. The data were processed using thematic-categorical content analysis. All ethical principles were respected. Results: three categories emerged: The decision-making process for end-of-life patients; Bioethical grounds used to guide decision-making; and the ideal and real worlds in the decision-making process. Final considerations: when used, Beauchamp and Childress' bioethical principles contribute as a guiding beacon for end-of-life therapeutic decision-making.
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