title: Series: Concepts in end-of-life care: palliative care medicine.
abstract: The goals of palliative care are to provide the best quality of life for the patient and family at a critical time in the patient's life. Ethical principles of patient autonomy, beneficence, and justice are very important at this time. Good communication is paramount in respecting patients' values and preferences. Appropriate surrogates, as directed by the patient, should be included in discussions and decisions. Physical, social, emotional, and spiritual suffering must be addressed.
authors.affiliation: King's Daughters Medical Center in Brookhaven, MS, USA.
authors.forename: Vicky D
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Pilkington
authors.forename: W Mark
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Meeks
authors.forename: Sharon R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Douglas
authors.forename: B Gwen
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Windham
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008922:Mississippi; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D010346:Patient Care Management / Q000379:methods*; D057240:Patient Preference; D011788:Quality of Life; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid