First Aid in Psychotraumatic Situations. Part II. Care on the Patient’s Family

Overview

Serious acute, chronic, or terminal illness represents a significant burden on patient’s family. The physician should recognize this burden, should know the specific dynamics of the course of psychological processes, and with this knowledge he/she can help the patient, as well as the family members to cope with their situation. Crisis management strategies are useful in acute cases, basic of group and family therapy in chronic illness, and Frankl’s logotherapy in the terminally ill. In submitted article the authors present review of basic strategies and techniques applicable in psychotherapeutic care on families.

Key words:
crisis intervention - chronic illness - terminally ill patient - death - family - bereavement - logotherapy - supportive psychotherapy - self-help groups