Palliative care

Palliative care is specialised medical care for people with serious illness that focuses on achieving the best quality of life for both the patient and their family or carers.[1]Center to Advance Palliative Care. Policy Matters [internet publication]. https://www.capc.org/policy-matters/ [2]Kelley AS, Morrison RS. Palliative care for the seriously ill. N Engl J Med. 2015 Aug 20;373(8):747-55. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra1404684 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26287850?tool=bestpractice.com Palliative care provides patients with relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness - whatever the diagnosis. Palliative care uses an interdisciplinary approach; the interdisciplinary team consists of doctors, nurses, and other specialists to provide support as needed. Palliative care is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness, and can be given alongside disease-directed or curative treatment. 

Hospice is a philosophy of care that focuses on the palliative care needs of patients and their families or carers, to relieve suffering and promote comfort during the end-of-life transition when curative therapy is no longer desired and/or an option.

Palliative care principles and basic skill sets should be integrated into the daily clinical practice of patient care, regardless of the underlying illness or stage of disease. Hospice care should be considered for patients facing serious illness with anticipated life expectancy of 6 months or less.