Death education in palliative care

an experience report of a university extension project

Abstract

Introduction: Death is frequently treated as a social taboo, reflecting critical gaps in the training of healthcare professionals who often prioritize technical cure over humanized care. This educational deficiency generates distress and stress among caregivers, compromising end-of-life assistance. Objective: To present the report of the university extension project "Education for Finitude: Dialogues at the End of Life," conducted in partnership with the Palliative Care Commission of a general hospital in Minas Gerais. The methodology is characterized as an experience report of a descriptive and qualitative nature. The methodological framework comprised sequential stages of theoretical grounding, supervised technical production, and the validation of resources alongside the hospital team. Experience Report: The project was developed over five months with the participation of 56 students from various fields, including Psychology, Nursing, and Law. The methodology involved theoretical training for students, the supervised production of five psychoeducational materials (a reflections notebook, a booklet based on the SPIKES protocol, a podcast, a didactic video, and a documentary), and the technical delivery of these resources to the hospital team. Final Considerations: The extension project established itself as an essential pedagogical space for articulating theory and practice, allowing academics and professionals to reflect on their own conceptions of finitude. The produced materials serve as permanent education tools, assisting the healthcare team in transitioning from the exclusionary paradigm of curing to an inclusive, empathetic caring practice centered on patient dignity.