García FPG, Arzate DJ, Bailón MC, Martínez CLB, Torres GT, Castro MMG, Sil AMJ, Soto GJ, Hernández BEB, Rodríguez CME, Padilla NSH

Language: Spanish
References: 11
Page: 104-111
PDF size: 176.34 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Background: Besides their medical condition, patients in hospitals often manifest concurrent psychological problems, which may or may not be caused by their illness. Oftenly if not addressed, such problems may limit or impede recovery. This is an innovating work in the consultation-liaison psychology.
Objective: To explore the variables that describe patients with a chronic end-stage medical condition; to explore their emotional needs, their attitudes towards illness, their thoughts about death, their family support and the impact of the psychological intervention given to them.
Patients and methods: 156 patients of nephrology, internal medicine and emergency room areas were chosen by their attending physicians because of their need for psychological support. Seventy seven (49.4% ) were male; their mean age was 59.81 years old.
Results: 86% of the sample cooperated with the interview, and all of them reported that the psychological intervention made them feel better. Most of the patients showed no hallucinations, illusions or delusions; their most common feelings were depression and anxiety. Their attitude towards their sickness was that of acceptance, but still they felt frustrated.
Conclusions: Patients gained a significant emotional benefit from psychological intervention; therefore liaison-psychology must be encourageed as a specialty in charge of the emotional conflicts related to diagnosis and medical treatment, in order to help patients and family members to cope with the impact of the illness and to improve a better quality of life during the end-stage phase.

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