The analysis of medical and psychosocial problems of the patients of Home Hospice in Szczecin in 2007

Introduction: The aim of palliative care is reduction of pain and another symptoms of uncured diseases. According to increasing amount of patients suffering from cancers request on palliative care is getting more and more. It is very important to assurance the quality of palliative care according to WHO’s norms.

Aim of the study: The analysis of medical and psychosocial problems of the patients of home hospice in Szczecin in 2007. Recognition of activities of Home Hospice workers according to elevation of quality of life and following medical indications over the patients in terminal phase of disease.

Material and methods: The study was carry out among 147 patient suffering from advanced cancer disease (69 women and 78 men) over 18 years old which had been cured in home hospice in Szczecin from January to December 2007 on the base of medical documentation.

Results: Patients to palliative care are reported to late. The most often were digestive, respiratory and genital systems cancers. The average period if curing in Home Hospice was 39-40 days. About 120 of the patients that means most of all had 10 doctors appointments and 50 nurses appointments. 116 (78.91%) of the patients suffered from pain. Interdependence between local of pain and kind of cancer was considered (p < 0.05). The most often phisical symptoms were: tiredness, weariness and fatigue.

Conclusions: Patients to palliative care are reported to late. In long-term care of the patients it is necessary to taking care about proper contact: doctor-patient, patient-family and family-doctor.