Support Methods for Relatives of Palliative Patients
Rihia, Katisha; Heino, Sini-Tuulia (2016)
Laurea-ammattikorkeakoulu
2016
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2016111816515
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2016111816515
Tiivistelmä
The purpose of this study was to study support methods, which are meant to support relatives of palliative patients. We wanted to study what kind of support methods there are to support the relatives of palliative patients. The World Health Organization (2016) defines palliative care as care provided for a person who has been diagnosed with an incurable disease. In palliative care, you cannot only consider the well-being the palliative patient but also the well-being of the family of the patient (WHO 2016).
The emphasis of the support is on the patient; on the other hand, the relatives should not be forgotten. The disease of the patient affects the whole family. Palliative care impacts the patient’s life and it also influences the life of the relatives. The relatives face difficult feelings throughout the palliative care process. (Grönlund, Anttonen, Lehtomäki, & Agge. 2008, 59-62) The National Advisory Board on Social Welfare and Health Care Ethics (ETENE) and Current Care (Käypä hoito) have composed guidelines concerning palliative care, however there are no nationwide guidelines in Finland. (Grönlund et al. 2008, 49-50)
The study was conducted by using literature review. The research method was a qualitative study method. The study was based on eight researches, which were found from academic electronic sources. Different kinds of support methods, which can be provided for the relatives of palliative patients, were searched from the chosen articles.
Support methods were provided by the health care professionals and the social network of the relatives. Interaction was found to be one of the main support methods. Communicating with others about the situation was found to have a positive effect on the relatives. Communication either with the health care professionals or with the social network was experienced to be helpful.
There were not many studies concerning support methods for the relatives of palliative patients. This topic should be further researched in order to have more information on the topic and thus be able to support the relatives of the palliative patients better. Supporting the relatives should be emphasized more in the health care system.
The emphasis of the support is on the patient; on the other hand, the relatives should not be forgotten. The disease of the patient affects the whole family. Palliative care impacts the patient’s life and it also influences the life of the relatives. The relatives face difficult feelings throughout the palliative care process. (Grönlund, Anttonen, Lehtomäki, & Agge. 2008, 59-62) The National Advisory Board on Social Welfare and Health Care Ethics (ETENE) and Current Care (Käypä hoito) have composed guidelines concerning palliative care, however there are no nationwide guidelines in Finland. (Grönlund et al. 2008, 49-50)
The study was conducted by using literature review. The research method was a qualitative study method. The study was based on eight researches, which were found from academic electronic sources. Different kinds of support methods, which can be provided for the relatives of palliative patients, were searched from the chosen articles.
Support methods were provided by the health care professionals and the social network of the relatives. Interaction was found to be one of the main support methods. Communicating with others about the situation was found to have a positive effect on the relatives. Communication either with the health care professionals or with the social network was experienced to be helpful.
There were not many studies concerning support methods for the relatives of palliative patients. This topic should be further researched in order to have more information on the topic and thus be able to support the relatives of the palliative patients better. Supporting the relatives should be emphasized more in the health care system.