The centre for palliativ care of the MediClin Robert Janker Clinic is an in-patient facility for the gravely infirm. We look after the patients at the palliative station from a series of integrated points of view. The aim is the maintenance and/or improvement of the quality of life.
Palliative care is life-affirming and recognises the natural process of dying. Life should not be prolonged artificially and the process of dying should not be speeded up.
The palliative in-patient treatment at our facility is carried out in an inter-disciplinary and multi-professional way, which means it is based on co-operation between doctors, carers and representatives from different specialist areas and volunteers who are involved with the treatment of in- and out-patients, and the care of terminal patients. The areas of responsibility are defined based on a ‘four-pillar model’with the following pillars:
Medical
The aims of the medical treatment are short-term rehabilitation, relief from symptoms,
pain relief, maintenance and/or improvement of the quality of life for the patients.
Nursing
The nurses who undertake the hospital and palliative work are individually trained and possess specialist knowledge of how to tailor themselves to the specific needs and requirements of terminal patients.
Psychosocial
This is about comprehensive emotional support for patients and their loved ones from everyone involved in the treatment, meaning employees and volunteers. For questions regarding social-law, social workers are available, as are psycho-oncologists and psychologists for psychology-related questions.
Pastoral
Spiritual care does not look for hasty answers, but gives the seriously ill or terminal patient room to pose questions of a more spiritual nature. This can take place within the context of discussions and meetings with all team members involved in the patient’s treatment and care, with individuals or with representatives of groups specially requested for topics of this nature.
Our team works on the premise of open and honest communication as well as the aim of reaching decisions together with the patient (and his/her loved ones if so desired with regard to the aims of therapy, and any changes to those aims. Aside from expertise in the subject matter, respect for human dignity and empathy with those affected, as well as the process of coming to terms with one’s own mortality are requirements for work in palliative care and hospital work here.