NECESSITY OF PALLIATIVE CARE IN THE INTENSIVE CARE

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The number of individuals with serious or life-threateningdiseases is gradually increasing because of the agingpopulation and technologies that enable longer lifeexpectancy. Palliative care programs are developedin order to improve quality of life during the course ofthese diseases. In palliative care, service is provided byexperienced and educated healthcare personnel and ateam of volunteers, and in hospital, first line treatmentenvironment, house or hospices, depending on theconditions of each country. Intensive care units (ICUs)are unique environments where patients with criticalcondition receive rapid and aggressive life-savinginterventions. In developed countries physical therapy andrehabilitation programs are integrated parts of intensivecare units in many hospitals. Considering patient needsand complications in intensive care units, the importanceof improving patients’ quality of life emerges as an issueto be kept in mind. Physical therapy and rehabilitationprograms aim to maintain optimum respiratory andcirculatory function in these patients, prevent muscularatrophy, muscular problems and joint contractures,control pain, optimize functioning and independency,educate patients and enable the participation of thecaregiver. Physical therapy and rehabilitation specialists,physiotherapists and occupational therapies worktogether in a multidisciplinary palliative care team inorder to increase patients’ mobility, independency andquality of life. Unfortunately it is observed that physicaltherapy and rehabilitation programs are largely ignoredduring the distribution of palliative care resources andthat necessary transfer of funds is not provided. In thisstudy we aim to highlight the role, necessity and benefitof rehabilitation, one of the important components ofpalliative care, in intensive care units.

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Palliative care , rehabilitation , intensive care unit , exercise , palliative care team

Kocatepe Medical Journal

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Kocatepe Medical Journal