title: [Legislative knowledge and preparation of health personnel for the care process of death].
abstract: The aims of this study were to ascertain the perception that health professionals (doctors, nurses and nursing assistants) have about their preparation for the care of terminally ill patients and to determine their knowledge about palliative care legislation. This cross sectional study was performed at a hospital in Granada (Spain); we administered an ad hoc questionnaire. The results indicated that although most of the staff had worked with terminally ill patients, only half believed that they have been trained to care for them. A significant proportion stated that they did not know about the current palliative care legislation. Most professionals would question the withdrawal of therapies for the maintenance of life; most of them are also unaware of the mechanism for reporting on the completion of a Living Will, as well as a Plan for Palliative Care in Andalusia (Spain).
authors.affiliation: Enfermera del Servicio Andaluz de Salud, Andalucía, España. luisam.torres.sspa@juntadeandalucia.es
authors.forename: Luisa María
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Torres-Mesa
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schmidt-Riovalle
authors.forename: Inmaculada
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: García-García
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D055815:Young Adult