Psychological interventions for emotional wellbeing in adults with advanced progressive life limiting illness

Summary

The number of deaths in the UK is expected to rise in the next 20 years. Nearly 90% of people die because of problems or illnesses that could benefit from palliative care (i.e. specialist care for people living with a serious illness).

People with serious illnesses might feel depressed or anxious, or have feelings of fear, grief, and hopelessness, particularly towards end of life. These feelings can cause other problems such as pain and feeling tired and can lead to overall poor health. The need to provide "best care for comfort and mental health" and to be " as free from anxiety, depression, pain or fatigue as possible" is recognised by healthcare organisations. But the best ways to do this this are unclear.

In our initial research we will: 1. invite patients, families or carers to join a patient group to tell us what is important to them; 2. identify researchers and healthcare specialists to join the research team; 3. write a larger research funding application to explore the topic further. With this additional funding we will: 1. complete a literature review of the topic; 2. find out directly about the experiences of patients, families or carers; 3. recommend best ways to provide mental health support for people who need palliative/end of life care in the future.

Our research will help us understand the how the mental health of people with serious illnesses can best be supported and what future research may be needed.