Narratives of Health Professionals Relating to Scarce Resources in an Urgency Service

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the narratives of health professionals working in a Emergency Care Unit that deal with decision making in situations of scarce resources. An exploratory research, of a qualitative nature, was carried out through a narrative interview technique with 25 professionals. Three categories emerged from the study: Decision making in the face of scarce resources; Ethical conflicts; Academic preparation for confrontation and the sentimental framework. Prioritization of patients is a reality in this health service. The prevalent problems are the scarcity of materials and medicines and the lack of human resources. The discourse preached the lack of ethical preparation of the academy for decision making. Most of the interviewees believe that they had little preparation to face the reality of the service. Some interviewees showed feelings of regret, impotence, insecurity, desire to abandon service, anguish and personal conflicts in the face of the wear and tear caused by the situation. It is necessary to invest in constant dialogues, health education and awareness-raising strategies in order to contribute to consensual actions that best subsidize decision-making in situations of scarce resources and that favor equitable health care in order to maximize benefits and reorient processes job.