Medicus, Vol. 10 No. 2_Maligni tumori, 2001.
Review article
Palliative Medicine - Palliative Care
Anica Jušić
Abstract
Palliative medicine is a new medical branch
dealing with optimal life quality solutions death, being, first of
all, the field of medical doctors’ interest. The term palliative
care is used if you mean interdisciplinary activities of palliative
care team. This care was used to be referred to as hospice
care. The usage of this name is now less frequent
because its meaning, depending on place or historical period.
Palliative care involves three basic fields: 1. ethiologically
unspecific supression of symptoms, first of all of pain, 2. psychosocial
support to the patient and his/her family and 3. ethical
issues related to dying and death. Some drug treatments,
proved in palliative medicine as being optimal in solving palliative
medicine issues, were shortly presented, especially the
peroral application of morphine according „around the clock“
schedule, instead of „if needed“ one. According to the Cicely
Saunders principles, the holistic approach is stressed. In patient’s
condition assessment, besides organic origin of symptoms
its emotional, spiritual and social origins should be considered.
Psychosocial support of patient/dying and his/her
family/nursing persons is essential. Its base is the good communication
on the relation patient-physician, family and palliative
team. Very important (for patient as well) is the good
communication inside the palliative team. Open communication
creating the confidence is the sound basis for ethical
decisions and arrangements concerning the medication programs
and other medical treatments.
Keywords
dying; death; palliative medicine; palliative care; hospice
Hrčak ID:
19787
URI
Publication date:
15.11.2001.
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