COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER‘S APPROACH TO PATIENTS IN PALLIATIVE CARE

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: One of the basic principles of Brazil's Unified Health System is universal and free health care in primary, secondary and tertiary levels. Therefore, the population's access to palliative care also is included, which can be described as an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing problems associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering. In Primary Health Care, this kind of care is promoted by the Healthcare Team, specially by promoting home care services. In this Team, we emphasize the role of the Community Health Worker, who acts as a link between the community and the Health Unit. However, little is known whether these workers are able to offer this type of care. Therefore, this study aims to assess the level of knowledge of these workers about palliative care. METHODOLOGY: In 2014, the Community Health Workers of a Basic Health Unit were called to participate in this research by completing a questionnaire to assess their level of knowledge about palliative care. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: About half of the surveyed workers reported having contact with patients with chronic diseases and high risk of death. However, half of these workers also said to ignore the concept of palliative care. Therefore, it is believed that educational activities are necessary for the professionals who make up the Family Health Team, especially Community Health Workers, that could be able to identify patients who need palliative care and bring them to the Health Unit.