Palliative care: Difference between revisions
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This area of medicine which deals with '''symptom control''' and is '''non-curative'''. Essentially, patients who are dying and lengthening life takes second place to making sure they are comfortable. | [[image:woodyallen.jpg|right|thumb|300px|''"It's not the thought of dying that bothers me, I just don't want to be there when it happens"'' - Woody Allen]] | ||
This area of medicine which deals with '''symptom control''' and is '''non-curative'''. Essentially, patients who are dying and lengthening life takes second place to making sure they are comfortable. A [[multidisciplinary team]] approach is a huge part of it. Some say "Palliative care is helping dying people to live". | |||
===Key conditions=== | |||
*[[Prognostication]] - working out how long someone has to live. | |||
*[[Palliative analgesia|Pain control]] | |||
*[[Respiratory symptoms|Respiratory problems]] | |||
*[[Nausea and vomiting]] | |||
*[[Incontinence]] | |||
==="Mrs Jones, I'm afraid I have some bad news..."=== | |||
Learning to break and discuss bad news is a key part of palliative care. We don't think its really the thing to learn out of a book; get together with a mate, and try telling them seriously a few times "I'm afraid we have the test results back, and I'm afraid they show that you have [[Leukaemia]]." Use your brains, be sensitive and you'll learn a lot. You can find some more tips on [http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Breaking-Bad-News.htm this website]. | |||
===Emergencies in palliative care=== | |||
*[[Spinal cord compression]] | |||
*[[Hypercalcaemia]] | |||
*[[SVC obstruction]] | |||
Latest revision as of 06:32, 5 April 2013
This area of medicine which deals with symptom control and is non-curative. Essentially, patients who are dying and lengthening life takes second place to making sure they are comfortable. A multidisciplinary team approach is a huge part of it. Some say "Palliative care is helping dying people to live".
Key conditions
- Prognostication - working out how long someone has to live.
- Pain control
- Respiratory problems
- Nausea and vomiting
- Incontinence
"Mrs Jones, I'm afraid I have some bad news..."
Learning to break and discuss bad news is a key part of palliative care. We don't think its really the thing to learn out of a book; get together with a mate, and try telling them seriously a few times "I'm afraid we have the test results back, and I'm afraid they show that you have Leukaemia." Use your brains, be sensitive and you'll learn a lot. You can find some more tips on this website.