Abstract

Background:The subject of cancer is still the cause of fear and anxiety in the public opinion. The order of daily life of the patient and their family is disturbed by numerous medical consultations, treatment and the side effects of the therapy. In the situation, when the development of cancer goes beyond the possibilities of the support and care from the loved ones in household conditions and this care is no longer sufficient, there is an opportunity to provide care and therapy for the patient in the palliative medicine departments. In the studies of the life quality we take into account not only the clinical state of the patient, but also their subjective feelings. The quality of life is assessed in the dimension of the current health status. Aim of the study:The paper aims to show the physical, mental and spiritual state of the patients before admission to the department, and in the first week of the stay in the palliative medicine department. Material and Methods:The research was performed with the use of a questionnaire (EORTC) QLQ-C30. The study was conducted among the patients of the Palliative Medicine Department of the Medical Centre ‘Samaritan’ in Opole, in the period from November 2013 to January 2014. 35 patients participated in the study. The average age was 69±31. Results:On the day of admission to the department and while filling in the questionnaire, all the respondents felt pain ailments and had some sleeping problems. 89% (31) experienced shortness of breath. 94% (33) of the respondents assessed their level of life in the palliative medicine department as high. Conclusions:The patients have assessed their level of life in the palliative medicine department as high. The low assessment of the quality of life in household conditions during the week preceding the admittance to the palliative medicine department encourages the continuation of the research in household conditions, in order to improve the life quality of people with the diagnosed cancer remaining in home environment.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.