Care to prevent and relieve suffering (pain, symptoms, psychosocial, spiritual)and to support the best possible quality of life for patients and their families, regardless of the stage of the disease or the need for other therapies. Palliative care is both a philosophy of care and an organized, highly structured system for delivering care. Palliative care expands traditional disease-model medical treatments to include the goals of enhancing quality of life for patient and family, optimizing function, helping with decision-making and providing opportunities for personal growth. As such, it can be delivered concurrently with life-prolonging care or as the main focus of care.
Primary Palliative Care:
Refers to basic skills and competencies required of all physicians and health care workers (von Gunten C). These skills are germane to any clinical practice.
Speciality Palliative Care:
Refers to specialist clinicians who hold a Board Certification in Palliative Medicine and are trained to manage complex and difficult cases.