Existential Suffering in the Palliative Care Setting: An Integrated Literature Review

Abstract

Given the broad range of definitions attributed to existential suffering, palliative care clinicians may need to be mindful of their own choices and consider treatment options from a critical perspective.

The impact of volunteer befriending services for older people at the end of life: Mechanisms supporting wellbeing

“…Whilst there remains a paucity of research as to how existential issues are managed and understood in palliative care, the experience of lack of meaning and feelings of loss of purpose are commonly reported amongst patients approaching the end of life. 15 Notions of reciprocity and mutual benefit also seem key in ensuring a successful social interaction. The work of Rook (1990Rook ( & 1992 22,23 lends some support to these as dimensions of successful befriending, by pointing out that not all social relationships fall und , and inadequate social relationships may be associated with poorer health outcomes.…”

Síndrome de desmoralización como alternativa diagnóstica al estado de ánimo deprimido en pacientes paliativos

“…La ruptura con la autoimagen física e incluso la pérdida del auto concepto y de referencia social en actividades y metas que se desvanecen son momentos cruciales en la EA y que inevitablemente hacen visible el sufrimiento existencial al final de la vida (FV) (2)(3)(4) . Frecuentemente estos signos de sufrimiento se han asociado con síntomas de ansiedad, crisis de pánico y síndrome de desmoralización (5)(6)(7) .…”

“…Frecuentemente estos signos de sufrimiento se han asociado con síntomas de ansiedad, crisis de pánico y síndrome de desmoralización (5)(6)(7) . Los aspectos relacionados con el sufrimiento existencial y las necesidades espirituales han recibido una mayor atención en esta última déca-da (2,8) . Pero la dificultad y confusión que el término sufrimiento existencial conlleva ha dificultado la intervención psicosocial y espiritual sobre esta parte del sufrimiento al FV dentro de los cuidados paliativos.…”

Religious Perspectives on Human Suffering: Implications for Medicine and Bioethics

“…Palliative care, anaesthesia, pharmacology, psychology, and psychiatry all have as their goal the relief of suffering -be it physical, emotional, psychological or, even, existential. Historically, and in recent years, a large body of literature has concerned itself with issues relating to the management, prevention, and relief of pain and suffering (Boston, Bruce, & Schreiber, 2011;Cassell, 1991;Edwards, 2003;Egnew, 2009;Norris, 2009;van Hooft, 1998). But while the relief of suffering seems laudable, some question whether medicine can, or should, aim for a world without pain, sadness, anxiety, despair or uncertainty (Breggin, 2003;Elliott, 1998).…”