LAUSR

Introduction. For physicians, death involves an intricate analysis that determines their attitude towards the patient. Objectives. 1) To describe the attitudes towards death among medical staff working at a children's hospital. 2) To explore factors associated with such attitudes. Population and methods. Cross-sectional, survey study. The physicians working at a tertiary care children's hospital completed the Questionnaire of attitudes towards death (QAD). Sociodemographic variables, professional category, work setting, having witnessed the death of patients, self-perception of a positive attitude towards death, and attitude towards death according to the QAD were studied. Results. Between June 1st, 2021 and June 1st, 2022, 362 participants were included; mean age: 39.88 years (± 11.56), health care experience: 14.06 years (± 11.97). A positive attitude was observed in 35 (9.67%). A statistical significance was observed for a greater probability of a positive attitude among those who were ≥ 40 years old (p = 0.02, 95% CI: 1.1-3.9), had health care experience for ≥ 14 years (p = 0.042, 95% CI: 1-4.1), had a religious belief (p = 0.003, 95% CI: 1.4-10.5), actively practiced their religion (p < 0.001, 95% CI: 1.6-6.9), and had a positive self-perception in the face of death (p = 0.002, 95% CI: 1.7-30.8). Conclusions. A positive attitude towards death was observed in 9.67% of surveyed participants.Associated factors were age ≥ 40 years, health care experience for ≥ 14 years, religious belief, active religious practice, and self-perception of a positive attitude towards death.