Abstract

RODRIGUEZ RODRIGUEZ, Nancy Y; RUIZ VALDES, Yulai  and  CARVAJAL HERRERA, Ailyn. Knowledge on palliative care of oncologic patient's relatives. Rev Cubana Enfermer [online]. 2007, vol.23, n.4, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-2961.

Family members are the core of palliative medicine. They contribute to the care of sick persons and they should receive the necessary attention and instruction as part of the care team no to exert a negative influence on the patient's evolution. Family is the main focus of attention for palliative medicine. A descriptive study was conducted to assess the level of knowledge of palliative care (physical, psychic, and spiritual) of the relatives of oncologic patients, and to determine the satisfaction degree in relation to the care provided by the health team of "Octavio de la Concepcion y la Pedraja" Polyclinic, Camajuaní Municipality, Villa Clara province, from June 2005 to January 2006. The sample consisted of a member of each family nucleus of the oncologic patients from our health area. 50% of the family nuclei were selected at random. A relative involved in the patient's care was included. The relatives of the patients with good prognosis or of those who were not physical or mentally apt were not taken into consideration. Previous to the beginning of the investigation, the selected individuals were requested their informed consent. A questionnaire previously validated with the help of experts was applied to compile information. It was confirmed that 51 % of the surveyed had a proper level of knowledge on physical care, 63 % had a fair level, and only 13.8 % had the needed knowledge of spiritual care. It was concluded that most of the families were satisfied with the attention provided by the health team, and that they did not have the knowledge needed for palliative care

Keywords : Teminal stage; palliative care; satisfaction.