Ebersberg: Palliative care unit nominated for Germany's most popular nursing professionals

Ebersberg: Palliative care unit nominated for Germany's most popular nursing professionals

The palliative care ward at the Ebersberg Munich East Clinic is attracting a lot of attention this year because Viviana Dasch's team was nominated for the “Germany's Most Popular Nursing Professionals” competition. Since 2017, this competition has been organized by the Association of Private Health Insurance under the patronage of the Federal Government's nursing representatives. This not only makes the team happy, but is also seen as valuable recognition for the entire palliative care system. Viviana Dasch, who has been working as a palliative care specialist since 2011, emphasizes that this nomination recognizes the entire team and highlights the exceptional work in this area.

The palliative care unit is dedicated to improving the quality of life of patients rather than curing illnesses. Various therapeutic approaches are used here. In addition to psychological counseling, physiotherapy, aroma care and color therapy are offered. An innovative light and color concept, developed by Viviana Dasch herself, is intended to increase pain tolerance and create a pleasant atmosphere. Certain colors of the blankets have specific therapeutic effects: orange and yellow are said to lift the mood, while dark green has a calming effect and dark blue relieves pain. Violet, on the other hand, promotes sleep - an important component for patients who often suffer from chronic pain.

The importance of empathy in palliative care

Empathy plays a crucial role in palliative care. Experts emphasize that interpersonal relationships between caregivers and patients are essential to the quality of care. Prof. Dr. Inge Eberl emphasizes the importance of this empathy in order to recognize the physical, emotional and social needs of patients and to react appropriately. Respectful interaction and professional competence are required, especially in difficult life situations. The challenges of the last few years, especially during the Corona crisis, have further underlined this importance, as relatives were often affected by restrictions on farewell rituals.

Another aspect that is important in palliative care is the relationship between nursing staff and patients. Prof. Dr. Gabriele Gien makes it clear: Palliative care is more than just a medical discipline - it requires the recognition of human dignity. Empathetic communication is of great importance not only for the patients themselves, but also for their relatives, as it can create a feeling of security and trust.

Challenges and suggestions for improvement

The nomination of the team in Ebersberg also highlights the challenges that nursing staff regularly face. There are calls to recognize the nursing profession as both mentally and physically stressful in order to increase the attractiveness of the profession. Suggestions for improvement include fairer pay, reliable rostering and a more positive image of the nursing profession. Viviana Dasch says she would be happy if her daughters also wanted to go into nursing, but also emphasizes the importance of taking a close look at the profession before deciding on it.

Palliative care has made significant progress in the last twenty years. Dying with dignity is possible not only in institutions but also at home, supported by specialized palliative care teams. These teams not only provide help with symptoms such as pain and shortness of breath, but also provide psychosocial care to relatives to prepare them for the dying process.

Whether in the clinic or at home, good palliative care always aims to provide symptomatic relief and reduce stress on the body. Medications, including opioids for pain relief, are tailored to patient needs. A look into the future shows: Interdisciplinary collaboration in palliative care promises not only an improvement in the quality of care, but also human support for seriously ill people who want to feel the need for respect and dignity.

The decision in favor of a living will can help to record the patient's wishes and thus create an important basis for palliative care. Relatives and patients should always inform themselves about the help available in order to be optimally prepared for the challenges of the end of life.

A strong team in Ebersberg shows how important empathy, respect and sensitive communication are in palliative care - and that every day can make a big difference in the life of a patient and their family. Further information about the nomination and the team's work can be found on the website sueddeutsche.de, uni-heute.de and imtest.de.