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Supportive Care in Cancer
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer 12/2011

01-12-2011 | Original Article

Complementary therapy and support services for formal and informal caregivers in Italian palliative care hospices: an exploratory and descriptive study

Authors: Monia Belletti, Luca Mallia, Fabio Lucidi, Simona Reichmann, Chiara Mastroianni, Maria Grazia De Marinis, Giuseppe Casale

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 12/2011

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Abstract

Purpose

The present study is aimed to assess the availability and use of complementary medicine (CM) therapies in Italian palliative care hospices, and the support services available to caregivers and hospice staff.

Methods

A national sample of 30 hospices meeting study criteria provided data by means of telephone interviews.

Results

All hospices offered spiritual assistance and at least one other form of CM, with the most common being massage therapy (n = 24) and relaxation therapy (n = 10). When offered complementary therapies, 65% or more of the patients accepted them. Twenty-nine hospices provided spiritual and psychological support to caregivers during patient stays, but only 12 offered support at home. All hospices offered support services to their staff, both in individual and group formats.

Conclusions

Despite limited empirical support, CM has become an important part of palliative care for end-of-life patients in Italy, as in many other countries.
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Metadata
Title
Complementary therapy and support services for formal and informal caregivers in Italian palliative care hospices: an exploratory and descriptive study
Authors
Monia Belletti
Luca Mallia
Fabio Lucidi
Simona Reichmann
Chiara Mastroianni
Maria Grazia De Marinis
Giuseppe Casale
Publication date
01-12-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 12/2011
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-010-1034-3

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