Understanding Palliative and Hospice Care – the investment in care and dignity of terminally diagnosed patients
Palliative care is a specialized form of medical care focused on providing relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of serious illnesses, regardless of the diagnosis or stage of the disease.
Unlike curative treatments, palliative care’s primary goal is to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. This approach addresses not only physical symptoms but also psychological, social, and spiritual aspects, ensuring a holistic care plan. These services are provided by a team of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, social workers, counsellors, and other specialists, who work together to address the physical, emotional, social,and spiritual needs of both the patient and their family. Palliative care can be delivered alongside curative treatments or as a standalone service when curative options are no longer effective or desired.
Advance Care Planning and Decision-Making Support - Palliative care teams assist patients in making informed decisions about their treatment preferences. This includes advance directives and end-of-life care planning, empowering patients to communicate their wishes.
Family and Caregiver Support - Illnesses affect entire families, not just the patient. Palliative care teams offer education, resources, and counselling to help families understand the patient’s condition and learn how to provide care.
Coordination of Care - Palliative care involves coordinating between different healthcare
providers to ensure that all aspects of the patient’s needs are met. This helps streamline care,
minimize hospital admissions, and facilitate smoother transitions across different settings (e.g.,
from hospital to home).
Bereavement Support - Some palliative care services offer support to families after a loved one’s passing, helping them cope with grief through counselling and support groups. The interdisciplinary care approach where all medical, care, administration and support
stakeholders join efforts to work out the best possible care plan for the patient and their family is
the core focus of palliative care.
What is Hospice Care?
Hospice care is a type of palliative care that specifically caters to patients in the final stages of terminal illnesses. It emphasizes comfort, dignity, and quality of life, rather than prolonging life through aggressive treatments. Hospice care is typically offered when curative treatment is no longer feasible or has been declined by the patient.
Key aspects may include:
Comfort-Focused Medical Care
Personalized Care Planning
Emotional and Psychological Support
Spiritual Support
Family and Caregiver Support
Grief and Bereavement Support
Hospice care is a subset of palliative care, but it is specifically for individuals nearing the end of
life, typically when the expected lifespan is six months or less. Palliative care, on the other hand,
can be provided at any stage of illness and can accompany curative treatments.
The Importance of Palliative Care, Especially in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Palliative care is particularly vital in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) for several
reasons:
1. Resource Constraints: Many LMICs face limited resources for advanced, long-term medical
treatments. Palliative care provides an affordable alternative by focusing on symptom relief and
quality of life rather than costly interventions.
2. High Burden of Disease: Chronic illnesses and non-communicable diseases, such as cancer,
often require intensive, prolonged care. Palliative care helps manage these conditions in a way
that reduces strain on healthcare systems while offering compassionate support to patients and
families.
3. Access to Pain Relief: In many LMICs, access to pain management, including opioids for severe pain, is limited. Palliative care programs advocate for and improve access to essential medications for symptom control, enhancing patient dignity and comfort.
Cost-Benefit Implications of Palliative Care on Healthcare Systems
1. Reduced Hospital Admissions and Length of Stay: By focusing on symptom management
and home-based care, palliative care often reduces the need for frequent hospitalizations and
emergency room visits.
2. Lower Treatment Costs: Avoiding aggressive interventions and focusing on comfort care
can save costs significantly, as patients often forgo expensive treatments that do not improve
their quality of life.
3. Better Resource Allocation: By reducing the demand for intensive and expensive care,
healthcare systems can allocate resources to other pressing healthcare needs, optimizing service
delivery.
Health Benefits of Timely Palliative Care
Timely implementation of palliative care can have a positive impact on patients’ quality of life
compared to overtreatment:
- Improved Quality of Life: Early palliative care helps patients manage pain and other
distressing symptoms, allowing them to live more comfortably.
- Reduced Anxiety and Depression: Palliative care addresses mental health by providing
counseling and support, often helping patients and families cope with their conditions better
than prolonged aggressive treatments.
- Empowerment and Control: Patients involved in palliative care experience greater autonomy
over their treatment and care decisions, allowing them to maintain dignity and personal values.
Patient Autonomy and Its Importance
Patient Autonomy refers to the right of patients to make informed decisions about their own healthcare. This is fundamental for several reasons:
1. Respect for Personal Values and Beliefs: It empowers patients to choose treatments that
align with their values, beliefs, and personal goals.
2. Enhanced Trust in Care Providers: Allowing patients to exercise autonomy helps build trust, as they feel heard and respected by healthcare professionals.
3. Improved Patient Satisfaction: Patients who are active participants in their care are often more satisfied, as their individual preferences are recognized and respected. - PCN’s House Zietsman is situated at 3 Jan Jonker Road, Klein Windhoek, Windhoek, Namibia. Contact dr G Keyter, Head: Medical Dept CAN & PCN; [email protected], 0819537740
Did you know?
Dignified
Hospice care helps patients experience a dignified, peaceful end-of-life process by prioritizing their comfort
and personal choices.
STATS:
Palliative care
Symptom and pain management
Psychosocial support (emotional support/counselling)
Spiritual and cultural support