Palliative care at the end of life: reflections on dignity and peace in light of complexity.

OBJECTIVES

reflect on the assumptions of "dignity", "respect", and "being at peace" present in the Theory of the Peaceful End of Life, in association with Edgar Morin's Complex Thought.

METHODS

a reflective study, constructed through Edgar Morin's works, in dialogue with the Theory of the Peaceful End of Life and with pertinent literature on patient care in palliative care.

RESULTS

the following categories were obtained: On complex thought; Dignity and respect: the complex articulation between dependence and autonomy; and Being at peace: the complex paradox intertwined in order and disorder.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: the study allowed consideration of the complexity intertwined in the concepts of dignity and respect at the end of life, and being at peace, understanding that both concepts integrate elements that, at first glance, are contradictory, but complementary.