Perspectives in palliative care.
OBJECTIVE
To review the evolution of palliative care in the United States and to define the terms palliative, supportive, and end-of-life care.


METHODS
Published articles, textbooks, and reports.


CONCLUSIONS
The health care demands that will arise from our aging society will force change in the field of palliative care.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses providing care to patients who are living and dying from advanced cancer should apply palliative interventions from diagnosis until death.
Kuebler
Kim K
KK
Adjuvant Therapies, Atlanta, GA 30306, USA. Kkkuebler@aol.com
Lynn
Joanne
J
Von Rohen
Jamie
J
D005544:Forecasting; D005582:Foundations; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D015969:National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, U.S., Health and Medicine Division; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D014481:United States