Comprehensive psychotherapeutic support to patients and their caregivers in palliative care

Abstract

Oncological diseases are unique in that they cause significant psychological problems for the patient and his family. For most patients and their family members, oncological diagnosis is a direct synonym of doom, a kind of death sentence, and severe suffering. Understanding the serious and specific problems that arise is crucial for effective care for oncological patients. Stress in late stage oncological patients is associated with various factors, such as rapid tumor progression, real or expected infirmity, patient personality traits (awareness of adverse prognosis, fear of pain, death), and poorly controlled pain syndrome, social factors (loss of employment, social status and family leadership by patients; real or perceived sense of isolation; financial difficulties associated with illness; concern for family members) treatment (repeated unsuccessful attempts of radical treatment and developed side effects), relationships with medical professionals of oncological institutions (lack of continuity at different stages of treatment). Patients with malignant neoplasms have a difficult time handling psychological problems due to various factors, such as their age, the duration of the oncological disease, the severity of their symptoms, their religious beliefs, and support from relatives, etc. An incurable disease and an older person’s death are perceived more calmly and seen as an inevitable part of the life cycle.