Abstract
Palliative medicine has become an integral part of the German healthcare system in
recent years. However, patients with non-malignant diseases have less access to palliative
care than patients with oncological diseases. These patients comprise a heterogeneous
group of chronic lung and heart diseases, neurological and geriatric diseases. Their
symptom burden and their palliative care needs are similar to those of oncological
patients, but earlier in the disease process. Physical aspects of the disease process
are different from psychological, social and spiritual aspects. General medical and
specialized palliative care should be offered depending on the complexity of patient’s
needs. Screening tools are helpful in identifying patients who need palliative care
early in the course of the disease. Advance planning should be an integral part of
caring for these patients.
Cicely Saunders und Mary Baines, die Pionierinnen der Hospizbewegung und Palliativmedizin,
schrieben 1983: „Viele der Symptome, die behandelt werden müssen, und die allgemeine
Betreuung der Patienten werden auch für andere Situationen relevant sein […] Palliativbetreuung
sollte nicht nur Teil der Onkologie sein, sondern der Geriatrie, Allgemeinmedizin,
Neurologie und überall in der Medizin.“ Konnte dieses Postulat inzwischen verwirklicht
werden?
Schlüsselwörter
Palliativversorgung - Palliativmedizin - nicht-onkologische Erkrankungen - Krankheitsverläufe
Key words
palliative care - non-malignant disease - disease process
