Bascom P B, Tolle S W
Division of General Internal Medicine, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201-3098, USA.
West J Med. 1995 Sep;163(3):292-6.
Families shoulder many burdens during terminal illness. Their needs grow and change as their loved one's illness progresses. We describe specific physician behaviors that can assist families in coping with terminal illness. Early in serious illness, there are the emotional burdens of learning of the illness and coming to accept a terminal diagnosis, of giving up hope of cure. As terminal illness progresses, patients often need family members to help refocus hope despite the inevitability of death. Patients and families need support, guidance, and encouragement to begin planning for many decisions. Although emotional burdens are felt by most family members, families who choose to have their loved one die at home take on enormous direct caregiving burdens as well. They need information and supplies, including specific teaching of caregiving skills and logistic support. After the death of the loved one, family members have bereavement needs that require ongoing support.
在亲人患绝症期间，家庭承担着许多负担。随着亲人病情的发展，他们的需求也在增加和变化。我们描述了一些特定的医生行为，这些行为可以帮助家庭应对绝症。在重病早期，有得知病情并接受绝症诊断、放弃治愈希望所带来的情感负担。随着绝症病情的发展，尽管死亡不可避免，但患者通常需要家庭成员帮助重新聚焦希望。患者和家庭需要支持、指导和鼓励来开始为诸多决策做准备。虽然大多数家庭成员都感受到情感负担，但选择让亲人在家中离世的家庭还承担着巨大的直接护理负担。他们需要信息和物资，包括护理技能的具体指导和后勤支持。亲人去世后，家庭成员有丧亲之痛的需求，需要持续的支持。
