The present study deals with some of the fundamental issues related to the philosophy of palliative care (PC) and specific undergraduate instruction by means of PC courses, aimed at establishing a humanitarian attitude by future health professionals towards patients facing death. Hope lies in impacting undergraduate training, curriculum reform that contemplates this anthropological vision (beyond the necessary technical and scientific training), and implementation of the PC philosophy. A literature search was conducted on the training of health professionals and care for patients that are beyond any possibility of cure, but still within the range of symptomatic treatment. The methodology combines a review of the national and international literature with empirical research, by applying a questionnaire to a multidisciplinary team working with PC in a teaching institution. The study used a qualitative approach and revealed the health field's need to train professionals to manage the care of these patients based on continuing education with knowledge about the process of death and dying.
Palliative care; Patient care team; Death