Attempts to Use Caring as an Indicator of the Effectiveness of Oral Care for Terminally Ill Cancer Patients

Abstract

Mouth care is provided in diverse places ranging from the home to the hospital, in diverse stages from acute to terminal, and the indications and methods also vary in each case. We have conventionally evaluated oral care by sanitary conditions, function of swallowing, oligotrophy, preventive effect of aspiration pneumonia, improvement of life prognosis, etc. On the other hand, the oral cavity is an organ with functions that are directly related to the dignity of the person, such as conversation and eating. In this sense, oral care is holistic. Thus, there is a concern that conventional evaluation cannot evaluate the versatility of oral care.

In this study, for two terminal carcinoma patients, I referred to the nursing record or household diary, performed a qualitative investigation, and tried to evaluate the caring objective. As a result, I found that the relationship of caring between patient and care provider deepened. In terminal cancer patients, holistic care is occasionally needed. Therefore, the relationship between the provider and recipient through mouth care is suggested to have worked positively. In future, it is necessary to evaluate mouth care from the viewpoint of the relationship between care provider and recipient. A simple score which can be used in clinical practice is needed.