The functioning of the hospice in the perception of families of oncological patients

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: A fatal disease affects a specific patient but indirectly affects family and friends. The study aimed to assess the perception of the role of hospice by families of patients treated in oncological surgery departments and a hospice. Methods: The study included 211 family members of cancer patients, including 108 family members of cancer surgery patients (Group I) and 103 hospice patients (group II). The study used the method of a diagnostic survey with the use of a proprietary questionnaire. Results: The first positive associations with the hospice were experienced by 74.9% of people in Group I and 84.6% in Group II. The respondents from group I believed that hospice is a place where patients can die with dignity (86%), and those from Group II believe it is where patients receive professional care (68.3%). 56.7% from Group I and 65.4% from influenza II did not feel anxious about the hospice. According to 68.6% of people in group I, informing the patient that he is in hospice and about his disease should depend on the patient condition. In the opinion of 75% of group II - the patient should always know about it. In group I (68.3%) and group II (91.5%), the dominant opinion was that the family should take part in the care/treatment of the patient. According to 87.3% of people from Group I and 59.7% from group II, society does not pay much attention to palliative care. Hospice as a form of care for the sick to other families would be recommended by 78.4% of respondents in Group I and 96.4% in Group II. Conclusion: Most of the families of patients from both the oncological surgery departments and the hospice had positive first associations with the hospice; thinking about it did not feel fear and would recommend it as a form of care for the sick to other families. Diversity of opinions of the surveyed families on the functions of the hospice, the scope of information provided, the role and composition of staff, the participation of families in the care/treatment of the patient, the patient's feeling of loneliness, the expected support and the desired religious practices in the hospice was shown.