Profile of gastrostomy patients and the role of the carer

When care is provided in hospital by a specialised professional, it is believed to be easy for this professional to do, due to the skills and techniques learnt in training, developed for procedures and strategies to provide the best care for human beings. However, when the experience of caring is within the family, there are difficulties. Thus, a professional nurse specialised in all aspects is needed to accompany and train the family member/caregiver. A multi-professional and interdisciplinary team is needed that is attuned to each other and to all the family’s anxieties and doubts; supporting decisions and sustaining care at home for patients with gastrostomies. As such, this book addresses issues pertinent to the needs of encephalopathic patients with gastrostomies; showing their profile, revealing the profile of the patient’s family members/carers and unveiling crucial care for these patients. However, this book provides professional guidance, especially for nurses who deal with these issues on a daily basis.