Dilemmas and difficulties of intensive physicians involving distanasia in children

Introduction: Dysthanasia is the practice by which the life of an incurable patient is prolonged through artificial and disproportionate means. This concept is a field of discussion of the value of human life and death. The work in the ICU places the doctor in confrontation with choices and decision-making involving technical, ethical and moral aspects deeply imbricated to the technological incorporation in the health area. Objective: The objective of this study was to know how physicians at neonatal and pediatric ICUs mean distanasis. Method: Exploratory / descriptive study, qualitative approach. Six physicians and five residents belonging to the neonatal and pediatric ICUs of a teaching hospital, high complexity, a reference for municipalities in the central region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, participated in the study. We used a semi-structured interview, the information was transcribed and analyzed from content analysis. Results: Dilemmas and difficulties were observed that encourage physicians to conduct themselves as distanásicas: to define in practice the terminality, the differences of conduct between professionals, the obstinate requests of the families to invest in the patient, as well as the fear of ethical and legal repercussions. Conclusion: It was observed that the dilemmas, anxieties and anxieties that involve these themes make their action, in the assistance, something that deserves a special attention, because in the academic formation what is expected and what is often learned is preserving life, providing healing and never waiting for death.