There is a constant need for palliative care. As population numbers rise,people will continue to age, become diagnosed with chronic illnesses, and deal with end of life processes. Palliative care’s focus is not to only treat and comfort the patient’s symptoms and helping their quality of life. This can also be helpful to their mental health and for their families, as dealing with a chronic illness can be overwhelming and as time goes on can become terminal.
It is important to act on this growing need for palliative care. The increasing research requires a constant need for training for professionals to stay up to date for their patients. There are never too many times to learn about how to provide someone with a better quality of life. In an article from the University of California San Francisco, DorAnne Donesky – one of the creators of the minor study, states: “Palliative care is a team sport, the core team typically includes a nurse, a physician, a chaplain and a social worker, but varies depending on a patient’s needs. Together these providers work to give patients back some control over their health by training them with techniques to manage pain and self-care”. Some areas that always have room for improvement and training when it comes to palliative care include goals of care discussions, documentation for the physician, and patient rated quality of communication from their care provider.
Palliative care is different for every individual who decides that is what they need to better their quality of life, living with their illness. It is up to physician’s, nurses, etc., to be focused on not making it a “one size fits all” solution due to the diversity of individual’s dealing with their illness.
“Physician comfort with end-of-life care is almost certainly essential to actualize optimal care, health care organizations will need to invest in systematic education and training, assure access to specialized team-based support for high-risk populations, and cultivate local cultures that value and prioritize the time and systems needed to assure true person-centered care.” (Health Affairs)
Health Affairs has a valid point, the time for an optional palliative care is over with. The high-quality training and education for palliative care is a necessity for those suffering with chronic illnesses.
Helpful links for more information:
- https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2014/12/121586/palliative-cares-importance-grows-ucsf-nursing-expands-training
- https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20180730.54577/full/
- https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20140528.039119/full/
- https://www.crossroadshospice.com/hospice-palliative-care-blog/2019/march/14/why-is-palliative-care-important/
