"Culture and tradition play an important role in the development of palliative care," says British specialist
“Cultura y tradición desempeñan un importante papel en el desarrollo de los cuidados paliativos”, afirma un especialista británico
"Culture and tradition play an important role in the development of palliative care," says British specialist
Philip J. Larkin, from University College Dublin, gave the annual lecture at the Chair María Egea Nursing School of the University of Navarra.
"Palliative care is the comprehensive (physical, psychosocial and spiritual) and active care of patients whose illness does not respond to curative treatment. Culture and tradition play a relevant role in its development; in some countries this care is related only to death, something totally contrary to reality". Philip J. Larkin, professor at University College Dublin, expressed himself in this way on the occasion of the lecture he gave at the Chair María Egea of the School of Nursing of the University of Navarra.
In this sense, the expert assured that there is much to learn from the approach of palliative care in other cultures: "This does not mean losing sight of the principles that underpin our work, but it will help us to respond to the needs of patients regardless of culture or tradition".
Spanish leadership in Europe
Of his work in London, where he practiced his profession for a few years, he recalled that "many patients used all possible means to fight the disease, some of them ineffective. However, she says she learned "to respect other perspectives" even if she did not share them. When making decisions with patients at the end of life," he added, "it is important to be clear about our role as health professionals and to know how to respect the dignity of the person we are treating.
He also noted that the principles of palliative care are characterized by comprehensive care for the patient with advanced disease and his or her family. "This means placing both at the center, responding appropriately to their needs, providing evidence-based care and evaluating the interventions performed on an ongoing basis," he specified.
Finally, the specialist wanted to highlight Spain's leadership in this field: "Its public health model financial aid to development of palliative care, as well as being a support for its progress in Europe".
Philip J. Larkin made these statements on the occasion of the annual lecture of the Chair María Egea. The School of Nursing of the University of Navarra launched this initiative in 2007 to promote the study, the research and the training of the professionals of the sector with the goal to deepen its principles and improve the care of patients and their families.