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What roles do patients' relatives play in the humanisation of medicine?

10 May 2023

The humanisation of medicine is an approach that puts the patient at the centre of medical care. However, the patient is not always able to manage his or her illness alone and needs the support of family and carers. This is why the patient's relatives play an important role in the humanisation of medicine.

The first role of the patient's relatives in humanising medicine is emotional support. Illness and treatment can be difficult experiences that trigger strong emotions in the patient. The patient's relatives can help the patient cope with these emotions by listening, showing support and treating the patient with respect and empathy.

Another role of the patient's relatives is to help with medical decisions. Medical decisions can be difficult and complicated, and the patient may feel lost in the process. The patient's loved ones can help the patient understand treatment options and make decisions that are in line with the patient's values and preferences. In this way, the patient's loved ones can help to maintain a sense of control and influence a better treatment process.

The patient's relatives also have an informative role. The patient often needs information about their condition and treatment in order to make decisions about their treatment process. The patient's relatives can help to provide information as well as communicate with medical staff. In this way, they can help to maintain a sense of security and understanding of the treatment process.

The patient's relatives can also help coordinate medical care. The disease often requires multiple visits to different specialists, which can be complicated and stressful for the patient. The patient's relatives can help to organise appointments and coordinate medical care, allowing the treatment process to be more manageable.

The final role of the patient's relatives is to provide care outside the hospital. After discharge from hospital, the patient often needs care and support with daily activities. At this stage, they can help to provide care and support, allowing for a quicker recovery.

It is worth noting that the patient's relatives can also contribute to the patient's satisfaction with medical care. A patient who feels supported by his or her family, friends, may feel more confident and less lost in the treatment process.

In the humanistic approach, the patient's loved ones play an important role in the treatment process. A patient who feels supported by his or her loved ones can better cope with the illness and treatment. As a result, the treatment process can be more effective and efficient.

It is worth emphasising that the patient's relatives may also experience stress related to the illness and treatment. It is therefore important for medical staff to pay attention to the needs and emotions of the patient's relatives, not just the patient. In this way, medical staff can help to provide emotional support for the patient's entire family.

In conclusion, patient relatives play an important role in the humanisation of medicine. Emotional support, assistance in medical decision-making, provision of information, coordination of medical care and care outside the hospital are just some of the roles that the patient's relatives can play. This allows the patient to feel more secure and confident in the treatment process. It is worth paying attention to the needs and emotions of the patient's loved ones, not just the patient's, in order to provide comprehensive and humanistic medical care.