Journal of palliative medicine
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Palliative care clinicians enhance the illness experiences of patients and their families through building therapeutic relationships. Many psychological concepts underlie a clinician's approach to a specific patient. ⋯ As we all (both clinicians and patients) bring our own histories and unique biographies to the work of palliative care, a more explicit focus on the psychological aspects of this work can enhance our own experience and efficacy as providers. With a thoughtful focus on the psychological aspects of how we engage with patients, palliative care clinicians can offer a more meaningful therapeutic encounter.
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Families often struggle with feelings of helplessness and futility in supporting suffering loved ones. Healthcare providers face similar struggles when patients' ailments aren't readily fixable. ⋯ Intensive Caring describes how to affirm patients matter, comprised of non-abandonment, taking an interest in the patient as a person, containing hope, guiding families towards viable opportunities, dignity affirming tone, and therapeutic humility. While originally conceived for healthcare providers, its applications for families supporting suffering loved ones remains to be explored.