Palliative care in the Malta Hospice Movement : why and how is the holistic approach beneficial to patients with terminal illness?

Abstract

The Malta Hospice Movement is historically the promoter of palliative care in Malta. Palliative care embraces a concept of 'Total Care' which focuses on pain and symptom control and on giving psychological, social and spiritual support to the patient and his/her family at a time when the disease is not responsive to curative treatment. This holistic approach to care is carried out by a multi-disciplinary team and it is my belief that the quality of life of patients is greatly enhanced by it This essay discusses three case studies which have been carried out with three hospice patients selected from three different age groups. Each member of the hospice multi disciplinary team involved in the care of these patients was interviewed. This was done in order to broaden the perspective given by the patients themselves. Confidentiality with regard to the patients interviewed was carefully maintained. Special attention was given to the social workers' role as this is a highly valued one in the hospice movement and because of my own interest in the implications of social work in the hospice setting. In my view, the findings from the case studies give a strong indication that the holistic approach is beneficial to patients suffering from a terminal illness.