title: Timing is everything: when to consult palliative care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Consults promote additional perspectives and help with complex patient management. As the population ages and healthcare demands increase, providers are consulting palliative care (PC). Nurse practitioners (NPs) should understand when to consult PC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Information was obtained from an extensive search of the scientific literature to include Pallimed (http://www.pallimed.org/) and the author's clinical experience.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the 2009 Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality PC developed from the Hospice and PC Coalition, PC should be consulted at diagnosis. These findings have also been validated in a landmark randomized controlled trial by Temel et al. (2010). The goals of PC are to alleviate suffering and promote quality of life for people with illnesses. PC accepts and incorporates hospice philosophies, but is distinct.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many professional organizations are incorporating PC into their specialties and guidelines. In addition to incorporating PC at diagnosis, PC access needs to be improved. New and experienced NPs may appreciate collaborating with PC specialists. Such conversations and relationships will likely offer practical and supportive guidance to both patients and NPs. Overall, the future for PC is promising.
authors.affiliation: carlincallaway@gmail.com
authors.forename: Carlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Callaway
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006738:Hospices / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000191:economics; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States