Physical and Psychosocial Well-Being of Preschoolers Suffering from Fatal Illnesses

Volume 6 Issue 3 August - October 2016

Case Study

Physical and Psychosocial Well-Being of Preschoolers Suffering from Fatal Illnesses

Alizah Alaman*, Munira Minaz Ali**

*-** Nursing Interns, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.

Alaman, A., and Ali, M.M. (2016). Physical and Psychosocial Well-Being of Preschoolers Suffering from Fatal Illnesses. i-manager’s Journal on Nursing, 6(3), 36-42. https://doi.org/10.26634/jnur.6.3.8261

Abstract

Every human is born to die, but some people are caught in the pain of severe life threatening illnesses that has no cure. In this regard, palliative care is the core component to pull them from intense distress. This care intends neither to hasten nor to prolong death, but ultimately focuses on improving the quality of life at the end stage. Dealing with pediatric clients in this regard becomes more challenging and exigent. The illness distorts their physical, psychological and social aspect very immensely, leaving huge distortions in their daily living along with increasing dependency on their caregiver. Palliative care on the other hand could help to alleviate the suffering of children as well as his family by reducing the painful symptoms. This paper intends to give a deep insight about the physical and psycho-social distortions experienced by a child with cancer. Moreover, it will aid novice nurses to implement interventions that aim to improve the quality of life of their clients by alleviating their suffering.