Onkologie. 2013:7(6):307-309

Cognitive-behavioral therapy in dying oncological patients

Jaroslava Raudenská¹, Alena Javůrková², Jiří Kozák³

¹ Oddělení klinické psychologie FNM a 2. LF UK Praha

² Oddělení klinické psychologie FN KV Praha

³ Centrum pro léčbu a výzkum bolestivých stavů FNM a 2. LF UK Praha

Progresses of recent medicine markedly increased opportunities to treat oncological illnesses and support extension of patients´ lives.

All the more space rises for psychoterapeutical interventions in terms of comprehensive treatment. People who face the end of the life

due to oncological illness do so in many different settings. They may choose to remian at home, live with the family or others or move into

extended care facilities, senior homes, or long term facilities. They may be of any age, from early teens to the indiem elderly. People, who

find themselves suddenly living in hospital settings are faced with significant changes in their physical abilities, environment, daily routines

and control over even minor decision in addiciton to dealing with end of life issues, many times much earlier than they anticipated. These

multiple losses are compounded by losses of friends, pets, familiar routines and productive, useful and busy lifestyle. As a resulst must psychotherapist

take these issues into concideration during therapy. That is why the article focuses on the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy

(CBT) with persons facing the end of life. Commorbidity, indications, barriers and techniques are outlined and future direction recommended.

Keywords: psychoterapist, dying, cognitive-behavioral therapy, quality of life

Published: December 1, 2013  Show citation