[A study on death: an analysis based on Vigotski's dialectical method]

Area of Science:

• Medical Sociology
• Thanatology
• Healthcare Professional Studies

Context:

• Intensive hospital care units (ICUs) are environments where healthcare professionals frequently encounter death.
• Modern Western culture often imposes a denial of death, impacting how professionals perceive and manage end-of-life situations.

Purpose:

• To explore the social construction of the meaning of death among healthcare professionals in an ICU setting.
• To identify the different conceptions of death held by physicians and nurses.
• To analyze the influence of cultural factors on professionals' understanding and management of death.

Summary:

• This research involved 13 healthcare professionals (6 physicians, 7 nurses) in an ICU, using semi-structured interviews.
• Three primary conceptions of death emerged: natural life consequence, biological process, and divine blessing.
• Findings indicate that cultural denial restricts systematic approaches, leading to subjective opinions on death.

Impact:

• Highlights the need for institutional changes and enhanced health education focused on death and dying processes.
• Suggests that addressing cultural barriers can facilitate the development of effective strategies for end-of-life care.
• Emphasizes the importance of creating dedicated spaces for professionals to systematically approach and discuss death.