Abstract · In this study I am going to summarise the contrast that cancer patients can feel between the work of a psychologist in their homes and the traditional role of a psychologist. Ideally, the conversation takes place in a nicely arranged, cosy room where our patient is sitting in a convenient distance from us, at a proper angle, or sometimes they can be lying on a sofa, but they are sound in the physical meaning of the word and have only a slight feeling of discomfort. In this study, I am giving an in-depth explanation of the difference that occurs in the work of a psychologist who establishes a helping relationship with seriously ill, mostly in-patients suffering from cancer, feeling physically unwell and weak, with shattered outlook and dignity. Many complications arose from the physical condition of the patients, which was a challenge in an already difficult situation: agreeing on the time of the visit, visiting the patients in their homes, taking into account their physical conditions. The time frame of the therapy was uncertain, which also made it more difficult to determine its purpose. These factors often extended beyond the normal frames of a psychologist’s work, making the distinction between the role of a professional and that of a guest even vaguer. In this study I am looking for the answers on how to define that delicate borderline through the presentation of cases.

Learn and obey the rules very well,
so you will know how to break them properly.

Abstract · The Chamber of Hungarian Health Care Professionals (MESZK), the Hungarian Hospice-Palliative Association (HHPA) and the Hungarian Association for Home Care and Hospice (MOHE) launched a joint survey in 2016 among healthcare professionals working in home care services and hospice care. The purpose of this study is, taking into consideration the results of this survey, to present the working conditions and current problems of healthcare professionals working in home care services and also their needs for professional development. It has to be highlighted from the results of the survey that 81% of the respondents are mostly dissatisfied with their financial recognition, while 41% are mostly dissatisfied with their equipment and with staff replacement (or the lack of it). 75.5% of the respondents say that their income is low with regard to their qualifications, and for 52.1% is the compensation of travel and parking costs in home care services insufficient. A possible the expansion of the competences of BSc/MSc nurses was also examined in the survey. 85.8% of the nurses would be willing to broaden their knowledge, improve their skills and broaden their competencies, mainly through free courses, and they find that their autonomous power should be extended in a number of professional tasks (e.g. incontinence treatment, wound treatment, stoma care, etc.). The problems identified in the survey mean a high priority task to health policy. In order to create an even more effective model of residential health facilities and to strengthen home care services it is essential to establish a sustainable financing system guaranteeing the right quality balance, to raise the level of the prestige of nurses and to involve professionals with extended powers.