Percepciones médicas sobre la atención en el final de la vida en pacientes oncológicos

Objective. To describe perceptions of the end-of-life care given to cancer patients among physicians in three medium and high-complexity hospitals in Popayán and Bogotá in 2019-2020. Methods. We used a cross-sectional design, which consisted of applying a self-administered questionnaire to physicians that measured physicians' perceptions of end-of-life care provided to cancer patients during their last month of life. Results. We identified 341 patient deaths and obtained 261 responses from their treating physicians (response rate 76.7%). In 70% of cases, the physicians considered that death was not a consequence of medical intervention and 85% classified the applied therapeutic strategies as symptomatic palliative care. In 87% of cases, the physicians indicated that they felt comfortable with regards to the medical care provided during the end-of-life process. 48% stated that they did not speak to family members, and 73% did not speak to patients, regarding the possibility that a potential consequence of intervention or no intervention, could be a shortened life expectancy. Conclusion. Physicians have an interest in the end-of-life care of cancer patients and are generally at ease with the medical care provided. The poor level of communication with patients or with their family members during this period could be an area for great improvement.