Palliative Care - L'Infirmière Magazine n° 273 du 15/02/2011 | Espace Infirmier
 

L'infirmière Magazine n° 273 du 15/02/2011

 

ANGLAIS

Palliative care, previously associated with end-of-life care for cancer patients and their families, is increasingly offered to other patients whose condition is progressive and fatal and the progress of which cannot be reversed by treatment. It is delivered by a cross-disciplinary team of health workers.

For patients, palliative care is defined as :

« Treatment which controls and relieves pain, discomfort or other symptoms caused by or related to a life-limiting condition with the intention of improving their quality of life ; psychological, social or spiritual help and support… » (1)

Claire Nicell, a UK nurse, explains that providing « spiritual » support is part of the holistic care she offers. « I ask “what can bring meaning to the patient today ?”. Some need to talk through issues and ask questions ; others need practical help in setting and achieving goals. »

A crucial element of the care team’s role is the « advance care planning » (ACP), a discussion process with the patient in the context of an anticipated deterioration. It includes discussing and recording the preferred place of care and death and may include making an « advance decision to refuse treatment », a « do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation » and decisions about storing « just-in-case drugs » at home.

These issues obviously raise ethical questions, some of which will be addressed in a future issue.

1– Extrait de « Living and Dying Well », plan d’action sur les soins palliatifs, publié par le Parlement écossais, octobre 2008 : www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/10/01091608/0.

En savoir plus : www.endoflifecareforadults.nhs.uk www.who.int/cancer/palliative/definition/en

MOTS ET EXPRESSIONS

Cross-disciplinary (adj.)

Multidisciplinaire ; transversal

To talk through issues (v)

Discuter de problématiques, de questions éthiques…

To record (v)

Noter ; enregistrer ; ici, déterminer

Just-in-case drugs (adj. + n)

Médicaments à prendre en cas de besoin

QUESTIONS

1. Which two groups benefit from palliative care ?

Patients with life-limiting conditions and their family. Patients whose condition is progressive, fatal and irreversible by treatment.

2. As well as symptom control, what other three areas of help are proposed ?

Psychological, social and spiritual support is available.

3. Why is ACP different to a general care plan ?

ACP is different because it concerns only patients whose condition is likely to deteriorate.

Articles de la même rubrique d'un même numéro