PALLIATIVE CARE – AN EDUCATIONAL APPROACH FOR TRAINING HEALTH SCIENCES STUDENTS

Abstract

The Tutorial Education Program (PET) and Academic Leagues play a fundamental role in student training during undergraduate studies. At the Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), JK campus, in Diamantina/MG, a team composed of members from the PET Estratégias group — focused on reducing student retention and dropout rates — and from the Multiprofessional Academic League of Palliative Care (Lacup) developed a project aimed at promoting an educational activity on palliative care. This initiative was directed at students from two classes in the Nursing and Physiotherapy undergraduate programs at the university. The objective of this article is to present the results obtained during the implementation of this activity. A total of 43 students from the aforementioned programs participated in the initiative. During the proposed discussions, it was observed that most participants held misconceptions or limited understandings of the topic, even in cases where there is a brief introduction to palliative care during undergraduate studies, as seen in the Nursing program. However, it is believed that the activity not only helped to clarify doubts but also provided a space for listening and dialogue, highlighting the importance of expanding initiatives that address this topic with students, faculty members, and also with healthcare professionals already working in the field. The results also underscore the need to include palliative care more broadly and in greater depth within academic training, thereby ensuring that future professionals are better prepared to address this essential aspect of healthcare.