Health Professionals Men tal Health A oo at their Su erin

This study aimed to recognize the characteristics of work within the hospital context and their potential eff ects on mental health of professionals who provide health care for end-of-life patients.The descriptive and qualitative study relied on interviews and observations.Thirty-four physicians and nurses who work in clinical medicine or emergency medical services in a teaching hospital in Rio Grande do Sul were interviewed.The results, obtained through content analysis, showed that in clinical medicine health professionals suff er more when patients die or their condition gets worse, such suff ering being a threat to mental health.In emergency medical services, death causes suff ering only when it is traumatic.Intercurrences which are characteristic of emergency medical services and work organization are the major source of stress for such professionals, thus aff ecting their mental health.Therefore, the mental health of these professionals is weakened due to the demands in health care work.It is thus necessary to rethink the institution's organization, redefi ne attitudes and implement procedures that are coherent with the professionals' needs, in search of better working conditions and improved mental health.