Embracing death … a reality with palliative care

Jul 10, 2011 News

For many suffering from terminal illnesses, the period leading up to their earthly departure could be more agonizing and painful than death itself. Death is not isolated, as family members feel the horrifying impact of losing loved ones.
However, the availability of palliative care (area of healthcare focusing on relieving and preventing the suffering of patients) has helped many cope with the bleak reality of death with less pain, using the right medications and emotional support.
Unfortunately, though this service has been in Guyana for the last 20 years it is unpopular. There are currently only three palliative care nurses who care for about 80 patients.
The Beacon Foundation has been providing this service free of cost and finances the nurses through funds from its snackette.
There is a need for more health professionals to get involved in palliative care. As such, the International Association for Pain has sponsored a one-day seminar focusing on Palliative Care and Chronic Pain Management Seminar, says Dr. Vivienne Mitchell, Consultant Anaesthetist of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
The seminar is tabled for July 17 at the Regency Suites Hotel, Hadfield Street, and is approved for Continuing Medical Education credits and Continuing Nursing Education credits.
The primary goal of the course is to increase and improve the capacity of health professionals to provide evidence based; timely; safe; compassionate; patient-centered; and quality pain control and palliative care.
It is anticipated that at the end of the course participants would be more knowledgeable about relieving the physical, psychosocial, and spiritual suffering of patients with life-limiting illnesses; providing better pain control, symptom management, and quality of life; and Providing education and support for patients, family and caregivers.
While an increase in healthcare professionals involved in palliative care would be welcomed, Dr. Mitchell noted that the attitude of some healthcare providers have to change and communication plays a vital role.
Palliative care commences from the discovery that someone is terminally ill. ‘Breaking the news’ to the family needs tact. Throughout palliative care understanding body language and communicating with patients and relatives would be necessary.
Dr. Paloma Mohamed, Director, Centre for Communication Studies, University of Guyana, would be facilitating a session on Communication Skills at the seminar.
According to Dr. Mitchell, it is a critical area as most complaints received from family members reflect that the manner in which healthcare providers treat patients needs to change.
Ann Read, Community Macmillan Nurse, Palliative Care Nurse Specialist, United Kingdom, has been working with some nurses in Guyana for a number of years.
She has recently, trained nurses from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in palliative care but without certification.
Dr. Mitchell hopes that palliative care can be included in the medical curriculum. This would ensure that palliative care is given the same preference as curative treatment, which is available in all hospitals.

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Embracing death … a reality with palliative care

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