Analysis of a Patient Accompaniment in Palliative Care: Stages of Grief and Emotional Support
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Themes
Palliative care, stages of grief, emotional support, end-of-life care, patient accompaniment, active listening, presence, reassurance, empathy, compassion
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Abstract
This document recounts a personal experience of a patient accompaniment in palliative care, highlighting the stages of grief and the importance of emotional support in end-of-life care. The author reflects on their journey of learning and growth, from initial uncertainty to confidence in providing care. Through a case study, the author demonstrates the value of active listening, presence, and reassurance in helping patients express their emotions and find calm. This analysis provides valuable insights for healthcare professionals and students, emphasizing the need for empathy and compassion in palliative care.
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[...] One thing was particularly difficult for me, it was maintaining the right professional distance when he started crying. By doing some research, I learned that only experience will teach me to keep the right distance with patients in such a situation. Seeing a person cry always touches us, but what to do? How to manage the strong emotions that I receive? I didn't find a standard method to learn how to manage that. Only time will teach me to manage. [...]
[...] He brings up the subject of his daughter, confiding in me that she no longer wants to come see him because he's sick, knows he won't see her grow up, and that she will probably keep no memory of him. And there, Mr. B. lets go of all the nerves he had in him and starts crying. I take it upon myself, try not to cry myself, not to show too much emotion, but it's very complicated. It's the first time I find myself in such a situation. We may have learned the right professional distance, but in practice, it's a different matter to put it into practice. During this interview with Mr. [...]
[...] This moment of discussion allowed him to speak and address painful subjects. I put myself in an active listening posture while reformulating what he was saying to make sure I understood him correctly. In palliative care, care is not just technical but mainly relational. This was a good relational experience for me, of listening and presence. I realize that for this type of patient, the essential thing is to be there. I think, therefore, that my initiative was the right one at that moment. [...]
[...] If I had to reproduce the same situation, I think I would say the same thing. Of course, having lived through such a situation, I am motivated to document and learn more about the stages of grief, emotions, and feelings that one can experience at the end of life. Having lived through this situation, with hindsight, I think there are no good or bad attitudes. Only being oneself with all the attention and listening that the patient may need. I think I was able to help Mr. [...]
[...] Analysis of a Patient Accompaniment in Palliative Care To conduct such an analysis, I have chosen to recount an experience lived with a patient at the end of life. To contextualize the situation, it was 9 PM, and I was present with Mr. B. He is suffering from a multiple myeloma in clear progression. This is his second hospitalization due to spontaneous fractures, as a result of the evolution of his pathology. Mr. B. is 64 years old, married, and has a 3-year-old daughter. [...]
