Optimizing Medication Management in Palliative and End-of-Life Care

Course overview

After completing this activity, learners will be able to: 1. Define palliative care and distinguish it from hospice care, focusing on their goals, timing, scope, and regulatory differences to enhance patient-centered application. 2. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop holistic care plans that integrate cultural, spiritual, and personal values while addressing physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs. 3. Assess and manage common palliative symptoms such as pain, dyspnea, anxiety, and nausea using both nonpharmacologic strategies and tailored pharmacologic interventions. 4. Minimize adverse drug events by optimizing medication selection, avoiding polypharmacy, and ensuring treatments align with the patient's functional status and care goals. 5. Monitor and adapt care plans to evolving patient needs, provide psychosocial and emotional support to patients and families, and uphold dignity and quality of life throughout the care process.