The role of rehabilitation medicine and palliative care in the treatment of patients with end-stage disease.
Rehabilitation medicine and palliative care share many common goals. They strive to maximize physical function and emotional well-being to the highest extent possible given the nature of the underlying disease process. Many patients with end-stage disease experience symptoms and functional losses that diminish their quality of life. This article outlines the benefits that active rehabilitation therapy can provide to patients in the terminal stages of their disease and some of the ethical and practical issues faced in the planning and provision of this care.
Olson
Ellen
E
Department of Geriatrics and Adult Development, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 130 West Kingsbridge Road, Routing number 00EX, Bronx, NY 10468, USA. ellen.olson@med.va.gov
Cristian
Adrian
A
D016223:Advance Directives; D000368:Aged; D001247:Asthenia / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003693:Delirium / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D026690:Ethics, Clinical; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation; D018529:Nutritional Support; D010166:Palliative Care; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States