“Palliative Care: Education And Sensitization”

PresenterKaren Frank RN

Objectives Define Palliative Care

Highlight the needs and concerns of palliative care patients

Recommend ways to improve the quality of life of patients requiring palliative care

Definition of Palliative CareImproves quality of life

Associated with life-threatening illness

Prevents and relieves suffering

Definition Cont’dPain and other distressing symptoms e.g. fatigue, nausea

Affirms life and regards dying as a normal process

Neither hastens nor postpones death

Definition Cont’dIntegrates psychological, spiritual and social aspects of care

Help patients live as actively as possible until death

Assist family to cope with the illness and bereavement

The Big Question

How can we ensure that our patients and their families enjoy

the best quality of life?

Domains of Palliative Care

http://www.capc.org/capc-resources/capc-poster-sessions/capc-phoenix-2010/abstracts/posters/04-full.jpg

Synopsis of the Case

Ms Wong a 50 year old domestic worker was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. At present she lives with her

elderly mother and her three teenage children while desperately trying to finish an apartment of her own. Upon diagnosis

she likens the action of a health professional to a dagger in her heart.

Analysis of Case Study

Structure and Process of Care

“They did rounds and rounds on me”.

“Three weeks in hospital then they just push me over to the oncology doctor”.

“Smooth off the roughage which made me feel like somebody cared”

Analysis of Case Study Cont’d

Physical Aspects of Care

Admitted in pain, biopsy pending

Coped by crying and praying

Relief measures not attempted as cause of pain unknown

Analysis of Case Study Cont’d

Psychological and Psychiatric Aspects of Care

Like a dagger in her heart

“The thing had me so upside down”

Analysis of Case Study Cont’dSocial Aspects of Care

“Is pay cheque to pay cheque I living”

Unable to provide for her family

Analysis of Case Study Cont’d

Spiritual, Religious and Existential Domains

“I just don’t know how to face it”

Don’t know how to tell her family

Everyone has to die

Analysis of Case Study Cont’d

Cultural Aspects of Care

Cancer is a death sentence in our society

Her children will have to finish their home.

Analysis of Case Study Cont’dCare of the Imminently Dying

Conversation about death and dying

The physical symptoms and emotional burden

Analysis of Case Study Cont’dEthical and Legal Aspects of Care• Duty of care

• Mental capacity

• Advanced care planning

Ms Wong’s Poinsettia

My Palliative Care Motto

Using a team approach, palliative care is doing unto patients what you would like done unto you if

you were in the patients’ situation.

ReferencesSepúlveda, C., Marlin, A., Yoshida, T. &

Ullrich, A. (2002) Palliative care: The world health organization’s global perspective. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 24 (2), pp. 91-96.

Center to Advance Palliative Care (2013) Eight domains: eight opportunities. Available at: http://www.capc.org/capc-resources/capc-poster-sessions/capc-phoenix-2010/abstracts/04 (Assessed 01 May 2013)

Thank you for your interest and participation