Advance directives in the perception of Medical students

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: The patient’s autonomy in making decisions about their life and about diagnostic and therapeutic approaches related to their health has been the object of growing social value. Then advanced directives appear to express the patient’s last will, safeguarding the Principle of Autonomy. During the undergraduate learning process, students are committed to life, and all of their training is based on technical aspects. Only a small part of the curriculum covers specific contents focused on terminal illness, when present. Medicine has evolved with important technological advances that resulted in quality-of-life improvement, but also brought a questionable extension of life, with often unjustifiable treatments and a therapeutic obstinacy to maintain life at any cost. Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze the perception of medical students about end-of-life directives. Method: A descriptive qualitative research was carried out through an individual and semi-structured interview, applied through Google forms. Due to the period of pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2, the survey was carried out remotely, in accordance with current national legislation. After the target was attained through sample exhaustion, the responses of 13 students were analyzed. Results: In accordance with the elements, steps and methodological criteria, the obtained information was classified and arranged into two categories: Human Dignity and Patient Autonomy; Knowledge of Advance Will Directives. Conclusion: This qualitative analysis brought to light important topics such as the regulation that guides advance will directives and principles that involve bioethics, to consolidate the respect, autonomy and dignity of the patient who is, or will be, undergoing the terminality of life.