Assistenza infermieristica e consapevolezza della persona e dei familiari nella fase avanzata di malattia. Uno studio osservazionale nei setting di cure palliative

Stefania Tinti; Sonia Leone; Lorenzo Furcieri; Maria Cristiana Rossi; Maria Carmen Toia; John Tremamondo; Elisabetta Zanini; Annalisa Alberti

doi:10.54103/dn/28808

Authors

Stefania Tinti ASST-Rhodense
Sonia Leone ASST Rhodense, Garbagnate Milanese, Italy
Lorenzo Furcieri ASST Rhodense, Garbagnate Milanese, Italy https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7460-407X
Maria Cristiana Rossi ASST Rhodense, Garbagnate Milanese, Italy
Maria Carmen Toia ASST Rhodense, Garbagnate Milanese, Italy
John Tremamondo ASST Valle Olona
Elisabetta Zanini ASST Rhodense, Garbagnate Milanese, Italy https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7676-9196
Annalisa Alberti ASST Rhodense, Garbagnate Milanese, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54103/dn/28808

Keywords:

Advanced Disease, Awareness , Caregivers, Diagnosis, Nursing, Palliative Care, Prognosis

Abstract

Background
Information sharing and disease trajectory awareness have a crucial role in Palliative Care. Il processo di accettazione del decorso di malattia in fase avanzata è complesso. Understanding family dynamics, emotional and psychological impact, and family resources and vulnerabilities during the course of illness is important for the nurse, paying attention to relational aspects.

Aim
Describe, through the analysis of healthcare documentation, information about patients’ and caregivers’ awareness of the trajectory of advanced disease.

Methods

Retrospective observational study of a convenience sample of healthcare documentation at the hospice of the ASST-Rhodense in July 2024. Data were collected from nursing health records on an anonymous basis and covered patients' and family awareness of the disease evolution.

Results

Seventeen health records analyzed, only 6 indicated patient as fully aware of the advanced stage of the disease. Six patients recognized the relationship between current symptoms and cancer, but without accepting terminality. Regarding the family awareness, almost all (15) were indicated to be aware of the disease progression.

Conclusions

The study explored the topic of patients’ and family’ awareness of the disease trajectory in the advanced stage in Palliative Care. The data collected suggest the complexity in achieving awareness of advanced disease. Emphasizing the need to use appropriate tools for awareness assessment and implementation of training for nurses and equipe emerges.

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