Psychology plays a fundamental role in palliative care, which focuses on improving the quality of life of patients with terminal illnesses and their families. The comprehensive approach of psychology in this context addresses not only the medical aspects, but also the emotional, social and spiritual aspects that affect people's experience at the end of life.
Functions of psychology in palliative care
1. Psychological evaluation and diagnosis
One of the main roles of psychologists in palliative care is to perform psychological evaluations to understand the emotional, cognitive and social situation of the patient and their family. Through structured interviews and psychological tests, the specific needs of each person are identified, including the presence of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress or problems adapting to the terminal illness.
2. Individual and group psychological intervention
Based on the previous evaluation, psychologists design personalized psychological interventions to help patients cope with their emotions, improve their psychological well-being and strengthen their resilience to the disease. These interventions can be carried out individually or in a group, also involving family members and caregivers in the therapeutic process.
3. Emotional support for patients and families
The close and empathetic presence of psychologists in the field of palliative care is essential to provide effective emotional support for patients and families. Through active listening, unconditional support and emotional containment, psychologists help mitigate psychological suffering, resolve internal conflicts and promote acceptance and inner peace in the dying process.
4 . Crisis intervention and grief management
In emotional crisis situations, such as the news of a terminal diagnosis or the loss of a loved one, palliative care psychologists intervene immediately to provide emotional support and strategies. coping. In addition, they offer specialized interventions in the management of grief, facilitating the processing of the loss and the process of adaptation to the new reality after death.
5. Effective communication and shared decision making
Palliative care psychology also focuses on improving communication between health professionals, patients and their families, encouraging open, honest and compassionate dialogue about the illness. , prognosis and palliative care. Psychologists facilitate shared decision making, respecting the preferences and values of each individual, and promoting patient empowerment in their medical care.
6. Support to the interdisciplinary palliative care team
Psychologists collaborate closely with other health professionals in palliative care teams, providing their expertise in understanding human behavior, managing emotions and promotion of the psychological and emotional well-being of patients and families. This interdisciplinary collaboration ensures comprehensive and holistic care that addresses the biopsychosocial needs of people in palliative care.
7. Research and development of intervention programs
Psychology in palliative care also contributes to the advancement of scientific knowledge through research in areas such as the quality of life of patients in the terminal phase, the psychological factors associated with the process of dying, and the effectiveness of psychological interventions in this context. Psychologists develop intervention programs based on scientific evidence to improve psychological care in palliative care.
8. Training and education in palliative care
Finally, psychology plays a crucial role in the training and education of health professionals, caregivers and volunteers working in the field of palliative care. Through raising awareness, training and developing skills in communication, active listening and emotional management, psychologists contribute to improving the quality of care provided to terminally ill patients and their families.
In conclusion, the functions of psychology in palliative care are diverse and fundamental to guarantee comprehensive and quality care for people facing the end of life. The psychological approach in this context not only alleviates emotional suffering, but also promotes the dignity, autonomy and quality of life of patients and their loved ones at a time as delicate as the terminal phase of an illness.