Characteristics of Palliative Care

The goal of palliative care in the United States is to enhance quality of life and respect patient dignity (Ho et al., 2017). Essential principles include managing physical symptoms, as well as addressing psychological and spiritual needs. Services are delivered by multidisciplinary teams, including healthcare professionals such as physicians, nurses, social workers, and chaplains. These services can be provided in hospitals, hospice facilities, or in the patient’s home (National Institute on Aging, 2022; National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization [NHPCO], 2021). While palliative care is often associated with end-of-life scenarios, it is applicable for patients at any stage of serious illness (National Institute on Aging, 2022).

Palliative care aligns with Self-Determination Theory (SDT), which emphasizes the importance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness for psychological well-being (Deci & Ryan, 2000). By centering care on patient values and preferences, palliative care enables individuals to retain autonomy and feel empowered in their care decisions, a critical factor in preserving dignity and improving quality of life. Additionally, the holistic support offered through palliative care fosters a sense of relatedness, as patients experience emotional and social support from a compassionate team dedicated to their comfort and well-being.

Palliative Care Efforts Focus On:

• Enhancing quality of life and quality of death when appropriate
• Centering patient values and wishes in treatment plans
• Managing illness-related stress
• Providing patient comfort
• Treating and controlling symptoms
• Reducing pain and suffering
• Minimizing the disease’s impact on daily activities
• Offering holistic support, including psychological, social, emotional, spiritual, and practical assistance to patients and families (National Institute on Aging, 2022; NHPCO, 2021)

References

• National Institute on Aging. (2022). What are palliative care and hospice care? Retrieved from https://www.nia.nih.gov
• National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO). (2021). Palliative care. Retrieved from https://www.nhpco.org

VIDEO: What Really Matters at The End of Life

In the following TED talk Dr. B.J. Miller, a hospice and palliative medicine physician, talks about how he aims to create dignified, graceful, end-of-life experiences for his patients.