TY - JOUR

T1 - When a hospice in not a haven

T2 - case report

AU - Swarbrick, Philomena

AU - Grinyer, Anne

AU - Payne, Sheila

PY - 2011/1

Y1 - 2011/1

N2 - There has been little research conducted with terminally ill patients in the UK to date. This case study describes statements made by a palliative care patient during a face-to-face interview while he was being treated in a hospice. His comments illustrate his unhappiness within the hospice environment to an extent that could compromise his holistic management in this setting. We would suggest that the important aspects of patient care include not just the major palliation issues of symptom control and good communications, but also attention to the rituals of daily living of individuals pertaining to the environment. The atmosphere of the hospice, as experienced by patients through their interactions with staff members within the care setting, is seen to be a significant factor for good holistic care. Hospices may need to be more aware of the impact that every member of staff, both clinical and non-clinical, can make at each patient contact. Becoming more alert to the likes and dislikes of each patient as regards the substance of these contacts may allow hospices to avoid institutionalized care practices and instead to individualize the care they offer to a greater number of their patients.

AB - There has been little research conducted with terminally ill patients in the UK to date. This case study describes statements made by a palliative care patient during a face-to-face interview while he was being treated in a hospice. His comments illustrate his unhappiness within the hospice environment to an extent that could compromise his holistic management in this setting. We would suggest that the important aspects of patient care include not just the major palliation issues of symptom control and good communications, but also attention to the rituals of daily living of individuals pertaining to the environment. The atmosphere of the hospice, as experienced by patients through their interactions with staff members within the care setting, is seen to be a significant factor for good holistic care. Hospices may need to be more aware of the impact that every member of staff, both clinical and non-clinical, can make at each patient contact. Becoming more alert to the likes and dislikes of each patient as regards the substance of these contacts may allow hospices to avoid institutionalized care practices and instead to individualize the care they offer to a greater number of their patients.

KW - Qualitative research

KW - Palliative care

KW - Hospices

KW - Quality of life

U2 - 10.1179/174329111X12967522394290

DO - 10.1179/174329111X12967522394290

M3 - Journal article

VL - 19

SP - 22

EP - 24

JO - Progress in Palliative Care

JF - Progress in Palliative Care

SN - 0969-9260

IS - 1

ER -