Consolation in Conjunction With Incurable Cancer

Abstract

Creativity, knowledge, and courage are needed to comprehend and accept a patient's need for consolation. By using simple interventions, the nurse can console the patient with little effort. Words become less important when consolation is done through body language.

Palliative-care professionals' experiences of unusual spiritual phenomena at the end of life

“…These positive perceptions mirrored findings from existing qualitative literature exploring patients' perspectives of client-centred interactions in palliative-care settings. Such research has identified positive interactions as being characterised by qualities of warmth, nonjudgement, and acceptance (Langegard & Ahlberg, 2009;Richardson, 2002). The positive association between physical and psychological wellbeing and the disclosure of significant and meaningful events has been documented previously (e.g., Palmer & Braud, 2002).…”

Conceptual analysis of suffering in cancer: a systematic review

“…Staff may fail to respond to suffering even if they recognise it , perhaps because of their own death anxiety . Joviality can replace expression of grief on the ward, suppressing the patient's experience . It could be that patients wait for a cue that never eventuates, or just think that the staff are too busy to listen .…”

“…The sufferer may feel the need to protect others from their suffering and suppress it consciously. This has been called ‘doubled suffering’ . They may avoid the topic because of fear that they will not be able to cope with the subsequent conversation .…”

Communication and Quality of Care on Palliative Care Units: A Qualitative Study

“…21 The study findings confirm that the sense of being heard enables other aspects of communication, 20 particularly with respect to establishing trusting relationships with physicians 25 and nurses. 26 Similar to ''building rapport,'' there is an emotional component to the subtheme ''active listening,'' in that it is instrumental to patients' perception of HCPs as empathic, 14,26 allowing them to feel consoled and achieve acceptance. 26 Active listening reduces patient anxiety 26 and has demonstrated positive psychotherapeutic outcomes.…”

“…26 Similar to ''building rapport,'' there is an emotional component to the subtheme ''active listening,'' in that it is instrumental to patients' perception of HCPs as empathic, 14,26 allowing them to feel consoled and achieve acceptance. 26 Active listening reduces patient anxiety 26 and has demonstrated positive psychotherapeutic outcomes. 27 It also helps staff understand how much patients and families grasp of what is occurring, allowing a better understanding of their emotional states so that staff may offer appropriate support.…”