Article Text
Abstract
Background The aim of Wellbeing Services is to optimise patients’ function, wellbeing and enable them to live independently with the best quality of life. To help achieve this we follow a rehabilitative model to empower patients to live life to their full potential for as long as possible. Education sessions have been designed with self-management as the focus.
Method A 12-week programme is delivered on a rolling basis within Day Hospice which provides a ‘tool box’ of self-help techniques to help maximise symptom control/quality of life. Sessions provide opportunity for patients to have input with all members of the multi-disciplinary team. This helps patients to better understand their symptoms, empowering their use of resources and information to their advantage. Visual prompts include the use of an A1 flip chart and handouts to increase inclusion and underpin learning. The sessions provide peer support through informal discussions and can reassure patients that they are not alone; that they can talk openly, relate to each other and share experiences in a safe and reassuring environment.
Evaluation The sessions support patients to reinforce existing coping strategies, develop and learn new ones. They aim to empower patients to alleviate and increase well-being. Importantly, the sessions prompt effective self-management of common symptoms experienced by palliative patients.
Conclusions The programme has helped to raise awareness of symptom control and has provided a holistic ‘tool box’ of self-help techniques to support patients in a personal sense of wellbeing and fulfilment; thus maximising enjoyment and quality of life.
This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work noncommercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/