[Perspectives] Demoralisation in palliative care

“A mental state of lowered morale and poor coping, characterised by feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, loss of meaning and loss of purpose in life.” This is how Professor David Kissane (Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia) introduced attendees of the Cicely Saunders International A nnual Lecture 2017 to the concept of demoralisation. Kissane went on to detail these defining components, establishing the foundations for demoralisation as an “existential psychosocial syndrome” that has been described in wide-ranging populations; from those with a terminal illness, to substanc e abusers, patients with chronic conditions such as motor-neurone disease, and postnatal mothers.
Source: The Lancet Oncology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tags: Perspectives Source Type: research