The importance of psychosocial care

INTRODUCTION: Psychosocial support is very important for cancer patients, because it affects the quality of life of the patients and the course of the disease. It helps the family to deal with difficult situations and prepare for future challenges. AIM: The aim of this study was to analyse the psychosocial care in the Pécs-Baranyai Hospice Foundation and answer the following questions: what are the characteristics of psychosocial care and how many people receive this support. METHOD: It was a retrospective study. RESULTS: During the 8 years examined, 36% of the patients (273 persons) asked or proposed by anyone psychosocial support for the family. However, meeting between the patient and expert evolved only in 49% of the 273 patients and, thus, only 18% of the patients received psychosocial support. CONCLUSIONS: In the Pécs-Baranya Hospice Foundation less patients received psychosocial support, than those who would need it. Psychosocial care is not yet an integral part of hospice care in practice.