THE MOBILE PAIN PALLIATIVE CARE TEAM
All of the team’s activities are aimed at improving patients’ quality of life, which can be altered by the disease or through the treatments.
The management of chronic rebel pain and palliative care are two key objectives, in close collaboration with care teams.
The team is present daily in all services of Antoine Lacassagne Center.
The mobile team can help direct patients when they leave, and it works in conjunction with the majority of home care providers (home-based caregivers, home care, palliative care networks) in the PACA region.
Outpatient consultations in Algology provide follow-up outside periods of hospitalization.
PAIN
Pain management is a priority of the institution. All carers are concerned, trained in the evaluation and treatment of this symptom. Attentive listening is required as well as a sharing of their knowledge concerning the handling of different analgesics, considering the patient as a true partner.
Pain is inconstant in cancers. At first, the disease is often painless. After the diagnosis has been established comes the stage of fears and questions: “Will the illness or its treatments be painful? ”
It is important to know that there is no general rule and that each patient is a unique case. One thing is certain, pain is not inevitable. It has an origin that can be explained.
The treatment of pain involves of course analgesics of different strengths according to the intensity of the symptom, but also other techniques such as radiotherapy or some form of interventional radiology.
Other approaches are proposed: relaxation, sophrology, physiotherapy, … depending on the type of pain and the patient’s feelings.
Although it is not always possible to completely eliminate pain, it can be treated and calmed in the vast majority of situations.
It is useless, even dangerous, to “suffer in silence”.
Pain is a sensation and a personal emotion. It is sometimes difficult to understand. Do not be afraid to insist if you feel that you are not being heard. The care teams are there to listen and relieve you.
Palliative care is delivered at home or in an institution, to a person with a serious, progressive or terminal illness. The goal of palliative care is to relieve physical pain and other symptoms, but also to address psychological, social and spiritual suffering. The dignity of the sick person is respected and their entourage safeguarded.
