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

Denise Stefanoni Combinato¹, Marcos de Souza Queiroz

¹Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica, São José dos Campos, SP, 12228-900, Brazil. denisecombinato@hotmail.com

Ciencia & Saude Coletiva

|October 12, 2011

Summary

Healthcare professionals grapple with the concept of death, often influenced by Western cultural denial. This study explores their diverse perceptions and calls for better institutional support and education on end-of-life care.

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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.