Behandlungsstrategien in der Palliativmedizin

Abstract

In nearly all patient-centred medical specialties, including anaesthesiology, intensive care medicine and emergency medicine physicians should have comprehensive knowledge of palliative care strategies. Non-cancer patients often require a different palliative care concept, compared to cancer patients. The focus of care in non-cancer patients is mostly on psychosocial needs, support in ethical decision-making and preemptive planning for likely crises or future incapacity. If the basic principles of palliative care are employed, the physical symptoms of patients in need of palliative care can usually be relieved quickly. However, in order to ensure good symptom control and efficient care in difficult times during the course of a disease, mental, social and spiritual needs of patients and their family carers must be considered. In intensive care medicine and emergency medicine, ethical decision-making is often required. For this purpose, a close collaboration with specialised palliative care services and/or use of instruments for ethical decision-making can be useful.