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What is Palliative Care Medicine?
Palliative Medicine is an approach specialized for an illness especially like cancer and takes aide in relieving symptoms and effects of treatment like chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. Palliative medicine focuses on the patient's quality of life in the physical, emotional, and mental toll that medical treatment can have. It is because of this that it is often referred to supportive care.
Difference between Palliative Medicine and Hospice Care:
There is a common misconception that palliative care is hospice care, and while there is overlap between these two concentrations, there are major differences between the two treatments. Regardless, both are needed in order to ensure the patient's quality of life.
Hospice Care:
offered in last phase of incurable illness (advanced or metastatic cancer)
no medical treatment is provided
focuses on the care of the patient
Palliative Care:
given at any stage of serious illness
offered any time in active treatment
apart from medical care team managing the illness
Palliative Care and its connection to Oncology
Palliative medicine is needed for patients at all ages who endure serious illness. They work with a team consisted of oncologists and primary care physicians to carryout in assistance in symptom and communication, emotional support, and end-of-life assistance when needed.
Primary palliative care takes care of symptom management such as cancer fatigue upon cancer treatment and diagnosis. It's team includes multidisciplinary services like chaplains nurses, social workers, and more. Because of this, palliative medicine plays a significant role for serious illnesses like cancer as it gives a greater foundation for stress, support, and planning. This overall improves treatment outcomes at a generous cost.
Interested in pursuing a path towards Palliative Care Medicine?
Quick Facts about Palliative Care Medicine
Including palliative medicine in oncology care helps alleviate patient well-being and reduces healthcare costs
While palliative care is healthcare cost effective, only 1 in 10 in need of it only receive it
Palliative medicine is not only for cancer care, it can be also used for other illnesses like heart disease, dementia, neurological condition, HIV/AIDs, and more
14% of those who need palliative care receive it and it is because of this that it is a greater global health disparity
Palliative medicine is provided in both inpatient and outpatient opportunities
Learn more about Palliative Care Medicine through our previous sessions!
Highlights from Q&A Session
Highlights from Q&A Session
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Learn more about Oncology & Palliative Medicine!
Learn more about Oncology & Palliative Medicine!
Finn, Laura, et al. "Oncology and Palliative Medicine: Providing Comprehensive Care for Patients with Cancer." Ochsner Journal, vol. 17,4 (2017): 393-397.
"Palliative Care." 25 Aug 2023, American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/palliative-care/what-is-palliative-care.html.
"Palliative Care: The Essential Facts." World Health Organization, https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/integrated-health-services-(ihs)/palliative-care/palliative-care-essential-facts.pdf?sfvrsn=c5fed6dc_1.
"10 Facts on palliative care." 2 Feb 2018, World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/news-room/facts-in-pictures/detail/palliative-care.
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