Palliative and spiritual aspects of psycho-social oncology

Spiritual care and palliative care necessitate a multidimensional perspective of professionals and patients exceeding the somatic point of view. The common ground is the care for patients, which is part of medical doctors' self-concept and should not be delegated. The principle of subsidiary commands respect to the resources of the patient and his social network. Professionals and volunteers can give only support to solve problems. Dealing with psycho-oncology, spiritual care and palliative care poses a big challenge. It demands a strong self reflection about the own mortality and the own resistances facing the finitude. The deep involvement of the uncanny of the end of life brings the chance of burn-out prophylaxis.