PALLIATIVE CARE

Course overview

THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION CHARACTERIZES THE FIELD OF PALLIATIVE CARE AS A FORM OF SPECIALIZED MEDICAL CARE THAT AIMS TO OPTIMIZE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND ALLEVIATE THE SUFFERING OF PATIENTS WITH SERIOUS ILLNESSES. ONE OF THE PRIMARY WAYS TO ACHIEVE THIS IS THROUGH EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND TREATMENT OF NEW SYMPTOMS, ALONG WITH MANAGING THOSE THAT PROVE REFRACTORY. PALLIATIVE CARE CAN BE ADMINISTERED IN MULTIPLE SETTINGS AND BY VARIOUS HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS. PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS, HOSPITALISTS, AND EMERGENCY MEDICINE PHYSICIANS OFTEN PROVIDE THE FIRST INTERVENTIONS FOR PALLIATIVE CONCERNS. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS PALLIATIVE CARE AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN EVALUATING AND TREATING PATIENTS NEAR THE END OF LIFE OR SUFFERING FROM A SEVERE CHRONIC ILLNESS USING AN APPROPRIATELY TRAINED TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS.