Update in palliative medicine and end-of-life care.
Palliative medicine includes clinical palliative care, education, and research that focus on the quality of life of patients with advanced disease and their families. The domain of palliative medicine is the relief of suffering: physical, psychological, social, and spiritual. Palliative medicine and care for patients at the end of life and their families include the following key components: compassionate communication; exploration of patient and family values and goals of care; expert attention to relief of suffering; management of pain, depression, delirium, and other symptoms; awareness of the manifestations of grief; and sensitivity to the concerns of bereaved survivors.
Abrahm
Janet L
JL
Pain and Palliative Care Program, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. Jabrahm@partners.org
D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods*