Travail cognitivo-émotionnel chez des patients en soins palliatifs : étude du vécu, de la réminiscence et du silence

Abstract

Introduction

Facing one's own mortality allows one to be more aware of one's life history, to make the link between one's different personal experiences and to open up to introspection, be it in exchange or in silence.

Objective

To collect the cognitive-emotional work taking place in palliative care patients and to appreciate the use and contribution of reminiscence as well as the place of silence in the discourse.

Method

Our study is cross-sectional, exploratory and qualitative. The interviews were conducted by the psychologist using an interview guide previously defined for this study. Non-verbal elements were taken into account following the interview. Nine patients, exclusively women, with an average age of 71 years, suffering from cancer, hospitalized and who were told that their curative treatments were over, were included.

Findings

After a thematic analysis, it appears that the patients’ concerns are mainly focused on their relationship with their end of life and death. We observe a majority of negative reminiscences as well as a diversity in their contributions. The main function of silence is emotional when the themes of the end of life and illness are discussed.

Conclusion

It seems necessary to support questions about the end of life and the reminiscences that may be activated following the proximity of death. Recognition of the different types of silence must also be part of the listening skills of professionals.