Necesidades de cuidados paliativos en enfermos no oncológicos con enfermedad crónica avanzada: una revisión sistemática

Twenty-two papers were included which met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients' needs affected their life in all fields. The review highlights the need for healthcare support and palliative care, for information about the disease and for effective symptom management, the need to maintain patients' functional capacity and to cover emotional and social support needs. Depression, guilt and loss of dignity were the main problems. It is essential to develop palliative protocols involving the evaluation of the non-cancer palliative patient's multi-dimensional needs to guide professionals to establish interventions that address the problems of the patient in a comprehensive manner.