Silences in palliative care: the primacy of human presence

Abstract

Our world is very noisy. It’s the shrill sound of deafening music, the unbearable screams of hysterical people, is the constant aggression to our ears coming from mobile commercial advertising, and finally, there is a foreign conspiracy, under various forms of protest, against the need for peace and stillness . The world must think. We need, everyone, to hear more. Life calls for silence and reflection. Respect the patient’s silence implicit a deep respect for his personality, a sublime professional act that demonstrate the ethic of the health professional. It is, probably, in the moment of serene acceptance of death, that haunt the quiet periods of silence. The patient no longer wants explanations, is mind grasps the great truth. At such moments the health professionals should not abandon the patient. They must maintain this silence, a understanding glance, the gentle touch of hands. They must establish a better dialogue, never a empty set of words. Caring is also carefully listening, being present, sharing the silence, complicity; be challenged by the lack of words. It’s welcoming. This article is based on a narrative review of the literature related with the therapeutic use of silence in end-of-life care.