Primary healthcare professionals' knowledge and self-efficacy on palliative care.

OBJECTIVE

to obtain information regarding knowledge and self-efficacy about palliative care among professionals working in primary healthcare.

METHODS

a total of 146 professionals from different professions were assessed through a sociodemographic and professional questionnaire and the Questionário de Conhecimento e Autoeficácia Sobre Cuidados Paliativos (BPW-BR).

RESULTS

there are significant deficits in knowledge and self-efficacy among all primary healthcare professionals about palliative care. Theoretical and practical knowledge, communication skills, pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain management, and better integration of knowledge among primary healthcare teams about palliative care are needed.

CONCLUSIONS

the study showed an overview of the knowledge and self-efficacy regarding palliative care among professionals who make up primary healthcare teams, but it needs to be expanded in number, variety of participants and regional scope, for results that express the Brazilian reality.